Bermuda: Age, sexual discrimination to be examined .......

According to the Bermuda Sun

Age discrimination could soon be outlawed, Government said on Friday.Amendments to the Human Rights Act are due to be tabled in the House of Assembly to ban discrimination on the grounds of age.And a new Equality Act could be used to make discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation illegal.


 Delivering the Throne Speech at Cabinet Office, Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: “In keeping with its track record of dealing with sometimes controversial social issues, your Government will also be tackling discrimination.


 “While the Government is aware of the sensitivities in the community surrounding sexual orientation, it does not condone discrimination in employment and accommodation based on a person’s lifestyle choices.“Accordingly, the Government will assess whether it is feasible to introduce an Equality Act.”Afterwards, Premier Paula Cox added: “People know they are not buying a pig in a poke — we’re not being secretive about dealing with discrimination.”

 ENDS

 But a leading gender variant rights activist is suggesting that the proposed Equality Act is leaving out her group along with transgender persons: In a quote Brenda Lana said:"When are Bermuda’s powers-that-be going to gallantly throw off Biblical literalistic shacklement and proactively get it into their heads that gender-variant folk on the island are openly subject to discrimination with impunity, too… that sexual orientation and gender identity are individually separate and distinct innate entities that need to be regarded, included and legislated as such in a much needed UK dovetailing “Equality Act” and amendments to Bermuda's present gay and gender-variant omissive Human Rights Law?

Submission from Brenda Lana Smith, Bermuda - 29 January 2008 to the UK parliament 



HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES 

  1.  As an abused septuagenarian male-to-female 23-years' post-operative transsexual Bermudian I am actively interested in amending the Bermuda Human Rights Act 1981 to afford full legal recognition of a post-operative transsexual person's presented gender, and criminalize discrimination against gender variant persons, particularly on the grounds of their presented gender identity.

  2.  While not precluding my right of individual petition under the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR") consistent with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights with respect to the Convention rights of transsexual people under Article 8 (right to respect for private life) and Article 12 (right to marry) I respectfully draw to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee's attention the lack of human rights legislation to protect transsexual persons on Bermuda.

  3.  The Bermuda Human Rights Act 1981 by omission not only legitimizes discrimination against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation, but on one's presented gender identity, too ... to wit:

  4.  Gleaned from a lengthy electronic exchange with the British government concerning the lack of human rights legislation to protect transsexual persons on Bermuda the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Overseas Territory Department, confirmed:

—  That the UK Gender Recognition Act 2004 does not extend to any British Overseas Territories.

—  That Bermuda has not enacted any legislation to recognize transsexuals.

—  That it would appear that there is no gender recognition system in place in Bermuda and Bermudian courts or officials will not therefore recognize United Kingdom gender recognition certificates.

—  That Bermuda is expected to comply with obligations under human rights instruments which have been extended to it. In particular. Bermuda is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR") and, like persons in the UK persons in Bermuda have the right of individual petition under the ECHR.

  5.  Accordingly, the financial cost to the Bermuda government of complying with its obligation under the ECHR, by voluntarily rectifying the present lack of rights afforded transsexual persons under its jurisdiction would be significantly less than having to defend one of probably no more than a handful of abused transsexual persons pursuing favorable justice that they understand they will receive—by precedent (Goodwin v The United Kingdom and I v The United Kingdom (2002) 35 EHRR 18.)—before the European Court of Human Rights.

However Prior to 1994, gay male sexual conduct were punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. Following the passing of the Stubbs Bill in that year, gay male sexual conduct was legalised in Bermuda, but with a higher age of consent for gay male sexual conduct at 18, than the age of consent of 16 for heterosexual and lesbian sexual conduct.There is no legal recognition of "gender identity", and thus, by omission, no protection from discrimination. The ability of persons to express their gender identity is often difficult; for example, in 2006, the government attempted to ban Mark Anderson, also known as the drag queen "Queen of Bermuda" Sybil, from participating in a parade, stating that he contradicted local mores and sensitivities. In mid-2009 it was announced that gay Bermudians would be participating in Pride London, with an estimated 30 LGBT London residents from Bermuda marching, and that it hoped to follow in Anderson's footsteps and participate in a future Bermuda Day parade; gay Bermudians doubted, however, that there would be large-scale participation due to fears of repercussions against their families. 


Recognition of same-sex relationships 


 Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is legal; despite repeated recommendations by Bermuda's Human Rights Commission that the government change this. In late 2004, the Government of Bermuda promised to amend the Human Rights Act to cover sexual orientation,—but by late 2005 the matter appeared to have been quietly dropped, until the following year. In 2006, an amendment to the Human Rights Act was proposed in the House of Assembly of Bermuda, but the Parliament of Bermuda refused to even discuss the issue. In April 2007 an activist group called "Two Words and a Comma" was formed to pressure the government of Bermuda into amending the act. Following his sudden resignation from Cabinet in 2009, former Culture Minister Dale Butler raised the issue of the amendment, saying that he had intended to table an amended Human Rights Bill in Fall 2009, but that it was now the responsibility of new Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield to re-table to do so; Butterfield responded that she was still being apprised of the workings of the Ministry and so could not comment on future plans. 


In November of that year, following a mention in the annual speech from the throne that the Human Rights Act was to be amended, a rumour circulated that this would include protection for gays. Premier Brown's press secretary appeared to confirm the rumour, but it was refuted by both the Human Rights Commission and Minister Butterfield, who commented that a sexual orientation clause was still under investigation.Bermudians have tried to appeal to the Parliament of the United Kingdom regarding LGBT discrimination,prompting the Foreign Affairs Committee to recommend that the British government should take steps to extend human rights in the British overseas territories (BOT), for which the UK is ultimately responsible. Bermuda's human rights in general do not have a favourable reputation; In mid-2008, Bermuda was the only BOT to refuse to join a four-year human rights initiative organised by the Commonwealth FoundationIronically, 


Bermuda has actually been the host of gay tourism for many years. The LGBT travel company Pied Piper, for example, has been organising trips — albeit on a smaller and much quieter scale — to the country since 1990, without incident.


in 2006 hundreds demonstrated outside the parliament building to protest - MPs' gay rights 'silence'


Peace and tolerance


H

Settle the Score on CVM TV's Live @ 7 (26.08.11)...the JFLAG ad campaign

Elon Parkinson started off the short discussion with the video being rejected by another station that being Television Jamaica and he asked why not this PSA?, he also said he was not sure of host station of his show CVM TV's position on airing the new ad calling for tolerance with actors former Miss Jamaica Christine Straw and her brother Matthew.

Patricia Donald of Women's Media Watch was live in studio, she said the media was hypocritical as they air violence and stigmatised items making women passive beings for example and men strong, overbearing sexual beings with masculine prowess the main messages.

She questioned what was wrong with the ad why the television stations would not air the clip?

It's high society persons who are presenting this announcement and she continued that it was the whole family who may be going through this outing of sorts. Where does the right of one person stops, she said the ad challenges us to ask what is love?

Persons questioned on camera basically disagreed that the media was not hypocritical many agreed that homosexuality is wrong many feared that young people may interpret the ad the wrong way thinking its normative, Miss Donald commended CVM TV however for airing the issue on live television. In the matter of accepting or condoning homosexuality she said the three issues are not related and differ as each member of the public interprets it. Out of five persons all said no they didn't think it was hypocritical by TVJ.

Meanwhile Dr. Livingston White media consultant and lecturer at Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication who was also live in studio echoed my sentiments in my previous posts that the Jamaica Forum for Lesbian Allsexuals and Gays JFLAG used the wrong colour folks for this ad as it may rub some persons the wrong way. The ad had too much "noise" possibly drowning out the real message of tolerance which is a good idea but the timing maybe wrong and the strategy seemed not well thought out, possibly suggesting some proper study or consultancy in this regard, noise here meaning distraction from what the real meaning of the intended message(s) is/are. Patricia McDonald agreed and said that other issues on the horizon may cloud the message as well such as how we relate to sexualities with emerging identities and orientations as transgender and intersex which she implied were missing from the main discourse.

Mr. White continued that proper research should have been done as persons may not have identified with the characters, the audience must also be considered carefully in planning any campaign. His answer to the airing of the previous ad with other rights activists, a reverend and more he said that it had a mixture of actors and messages based on HIV/AIDS Miss Patricia Donald agreed he continued that the shock appeal can work with this new ad with Miss Straw and her brother but other social interventions are needed to support the campaign, suggesting possible fallout from such campaigns, a kind of unneeded martyrdom as I interpret it, he said it seemed as a rush campaign not properly thought through and thus executed without proper guidance or planning, social change may not occur overnight and there must be a long term plan and the ad in its present form may also hurt the progress made if any in terms of the public discourse now more mature than years before.

Are we addressing the behaviour or the actions he asked as since certain acts are illegal under law. Tolerance, condoning and accepting are three different issues or descriptions, here echoing Miss Donald's earlier point.

Here is the question asked on Live @ 7 Facebook Page

Settle the score: Do you think the Jamaican broadcast media is being hypocritical by not airing the Public Service Announcements on gay tolerance?

Here are some answers:

Anything god against i'm also against it so mek them goweh wid them dirty acted. Them must not air nthng bout dem. Under the earth dem fi live where real people cant c dem!!



Wow! This is a very touchy topic! People should learn to accept each other even if u don't agree with each others sexual preference so if airing these announcements teach acceptance which inturn stem voilence, why not?



No they are not,i think they reserve the right to broadcast what is legally accepted. On the contrary,why would the gay community want it to be aired and they have spent so many years behind the walls.



No i don't think so. In Jamaica it is still considered taboo for a man and woman to be "affectionate" in public. Nobody wants to see homosexuals do that. I have no problem with someones sexuality, just don't try and throw it in my face. We have rights too.



No I dont think the media is being hypocritical the tolerance level of GAYS in our pretty little island is quite low enough already airing persons disgust will only heighten violence against those who support them, against the homos and against the media house that should choose to broadcast homosexuality whether or not the views express are not those of said media this will irate a lot of person



I don't think so,but at the same time everybody entitled to their own lives and opinion,and I think it would have a great impact on the innocent young men coming up.



i'll deal with the issue when/if it presents itself but i'm not into the whole desensitization of our nation's children...we're a Christian nation and if we don't stand for something we're going to fall for everything...i'm by NO means homophobic, but that doesn't mean I like sexually suggestive behaviours being flaunted in my face, gay straight or curved...selah



Here is my advice to the gays. Word an add like this, homosexuality is unnatural, repulsive, reprehensible nd abominable, however any1 is welcome to join at their own risk. Im sure the media wouldn't have a prob with that.



The gay community already know how jahn public feel mi nuh tink dem waah wax cleana fi clean out dem ears hole r eye glass fi read an less dem waah a beatin den dem can go demanstrate fi freedom a peech an chice jahn public cyah talarate hunga an bruk u waah bring adam & steve to dat de frustrashan well as mi seh dem waahnta beatin dem cyah go out deh go tan up pan treet side wid kiard bode rite up den wi



whatever the case may be, buggery is illegal in ja so to broadcast gay acceptance msg is sorta supporting illegal activities



ppl oonuh nuh affi worri dat deh media house a go shet dung if dem wonce carry nuttin fram dem mi guh pan dem website it seh new ad fi hit augus encouragin ppl fi luv gay pickni well tank gad augus dun it ahlso seh vielence pan de inkreese inna jamdung tek note HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE ON THE INCREASE IN JAMAICA wha mure oonu waahnt



So tell me now, men who love men and women who love women want us to accept and tolerate them; who the hell is gonna be next? - men who love children? Men who love goat? Men who love their own daughters? We need to send a strong message to all those abnormal pleasure driven perverts, no one was born a faggot. You chose that way of life. You, those who have sex with children, animals and birds are all the same.

GO HERE TO SEE MORE

Clearly it's a start to the continued discourse on this campaign it would be good though for JFLAG to consider with drawing the ad as it stands which was hinted to by Dr. Livingston White as he said the Youtube version may not be the one the television station rejected as he said that version is too raw and needs major dressing up, in effect that version could not have been used for television but JFLAG has the advantage of the matter getting some traction from the furor so persons can go to the major social media sites including YouTube to see the ad which he suggested they should use to their advantage.

An influential had called for the ad to be withdrawn for reasons of the non consultation with the wider LGBT body politic or seven persons deciding for the rest of us but an attempted muzzling took place, see more on my sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica on Blogger:

Attempted censorship from the advocates towards views on the JFLAG Ad campaign??

There was a call-in section afterwards most callers had mixed feelings some agreed that there was some hypocrisy but also added their ought to be considerations for tolerance.

Christine Straw and her brother Matthew who appear in the ad did not appear on the show as was previously thought they would have. Mr. Parkinson went a little controversial near the end when he said the Bible may be inaccurate in some cases in a response to a caller who said the Bible says homosexuals should be killed.

I feel JFLAG's credibility is however shattered as with regards to the recently concluded civil disobedience by sections of the MSM homeless populations after they have been banned from going to certain NGOs associated with JFLAG.

Peace and tolerance

H

European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights hearing on LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) rights in the world

On 30 June 2011, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights held ahearing on LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) rights in the world. Members of the European Parliament, European Parliament staff, European Commission staff, ambassadors and members of the public heard from human rights defenders, civil society and high-level EU civil servants about the human rights of LGBTI people worldwide.

Andrzej Grzyb MEP: Introduction from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Andrzej Grzyb MEP, acting Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights opened the event.

Ulrike Lunacek MEP: Introduction from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, presented the hearing and explained why it was necessary to look at the rights of LGBTI people globally, citing work done recently by the European Parliament

Naome Ruzindana: Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi
Naome Ruzindana from Rwanda presented recent developments for LGBTI people in eastern Africa, and notably Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi (including how these countries influenced each other).

The decriminalisation of homosexuality in India
A movie produced by the International AIDS Alliance showcased interviews with Indian activists commenting on the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2009

Mauro Cabral: Trans and intersex rights from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Trans and intersex rights in the world
Argentinean activist Mauro Cabral explained the issues brought forward by a growing global movement for the rights of trans(gender) and intersex people, including trans murders and sterilisation.

Riina Kionka: The role of the EU from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

The role of the EU
Riina Kionka is Head of Division for Human Rights Policy Guidelines in the EU’s External Action Service, and outlined positive action by the EU in several domains: in the EU legal and policy framework, the EU’s bilateral relationships, at the United Nations, and at regional and local level.

Jean-Louis Ville: The European Commission from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

The European Commission
Responsible for Governance, Democracy, Gender and Human Rights at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation, Jean-Louis Ville outlined action and calls for funding at the European Commission that were likely to help LGBTI civil society in the Global South

Questions and answers

Questions and answers from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs: Conclusion from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs: Conclusion

Homophobia heats up with the summer

As the summer months fast approach us and today being the longest day of the year the tense atmosphere in that which is Jamaica in as far as homophobia is concerned is becoming more so, as more reports continue to come in and JFLAG in a recent flyer (Below) said they had some reports as well.

One of the police abuse instances that is mentioned above in that flyer is one that occurred in Montego Bay where a party promoter aligned to some rouge police officers were sent to disrupt a popular venue there as it was deemed as taking away business in the ever increasingly stiff party entertainment market. Sadly it seems JFLAG has overlooked or chose to ignore the real reason in fear of the community's embarrassment coming too much to light, if we are going to be speaking on rights we must speak the truth and call it as we see it, not gloss it over. The others were flat out homophobic abuse.

Read more on that here from my sister blog on Wordpress:

Big Blow For Homeless/Displaced MSMs In Western Jamaica …..

Of interest are the cases of beatings since May with a recent one in Glendevon in St. James of a 13 year old. The previous was a skirmish in St. Thomas which started out as a quarrel over a fence with a neighbour and ended up in homophobic slurs being directed at one of the occupants of the property who by the utterances of his detractors said they suspected him as a battyman. Disturbing lesbophobic attacks as well have been making the rounds with unconfirmed choppings and beatings in St. Ann of two women respectively while a confirmed case of "picketing" in Kingston of a same gender loving woman has also come to light which occurred in late May. She has since relocated and is planning on selling the property.

The case of the former business man who was displaced and had relocated has taken a new twist as the police had to be called in to settle a dispute with a landlord who also accused the man of not having any woman, so he must be a battyman den and he should leave her place at once. The police as reported were professional and reminded her of the rules as stated under the Rent Act as to how to ask a tenant to vacate ones premises but the landlord has threatened to use other means to get rid of him so he is taking all the needed precautions.

A suspected murder at a previous crime spot in Kingston nearing the national solid waste authority building is also of grave concern but unconfirmed as at this post. The murder of a former JFLAG volunteer and employee earlier this year is also still disturbing myself and others who are close to the case as he was buried unceremoniously as a pauper with no last rights offered due to an unrepentant homophobic father and a less caring organization of which he was apart no matter how short his tenure was. Not even so much as a release to formally recognise him was forthcoming.

See more here on previous questionable deaths of members of our community:

The Tragic Loss Of Three Icons In Less Than A Month ……..

Also see the entry from Wordpress on the dancehall DJ's entourage attack at a gas station earlier this year:

Hate Crime Or Magnet For A Beating? ……. Popular DJ’s Entourage Square Off With Gay Men ……………..

Men Rushed And Beaten In New Kingston

Certainly I am worried and deeply at this sharp rise in accounts of abuse and other problems that we ourselves cause to occur such as a lack of vigilance of ones private electronic devices and computers especially when surfing social network pages with gay materials with relatives or non gay friends around only to have them eaves-drop or deliberately force themselves to discover the secret with a broadcast that causes awful repercussions. A disturbing case of blackmail also has come to the fore of a young man who was found out by a distant relative only to have the

same relative declare his own same sex attractions and demanding sexual favours as the young man resided in the home of the relative. He is since seeking new accommodation to avoid any eventualities.

A case of a chase in Half Way Tree on May 17 was also confirmed as a young man who had had a public quarrel with another man alleged also to be gay near the York Pharmacy was chased away by the fruit vendors and taxi drivers nearby as he exited the establishment according to reports, his raucous behaviour was not tolerated by onlookers who also used the regular curse words "battyman" sadly more and more it is becoming burdensome to have to bring these events in my posts to your attention but it is needed so we can have some clue as to what's really going on. The difficulty as always is confirmation of some of the reports and accusations such as the beating of a youngster at a prominent high school in Kingston, it has been the subject of

discussion elsewhere on social network sites but no one seems able to provide proper leads or evidence to that effect.

What is promising is the younger lgbt body politic is not lost to adopting some care and vigilance and they are speaking out on issues as well it is refreshing to see the vibrant exchanges now on some networking sites and it is hoped that this can help the information sharing to grow in earnest although many of the subject matter is of a raunchy nature but that may tire out some and maybe lead to new issues or real issues being brought to bear. Certainly the participation in advocacy typed activity such as responding to letters to the editors, article reviews and critiquing the issues as well as the advocates JFLAG's stewardship is on the minds of this new crop on LGBT people.

Sadly as seen below the transgender advocacy from the J is still way below par and the invisibility from lack of proper engagement and discourse is glaring, the page only has a link to a Wikipedia entry and as usual the comments section is closed, so much for engagement and forumatic activity. JFLAG SITE

Let's continue to be vigilant at all angles, watch and document what you see and hear, let me know if you desire it to go public send via email to lgbtevent@gmail.com or link JFLAG if your so desire at the numbers on the flyer above that shows the countdown of incidents.

Peace and tolerance

H

UNHRC Statement a major step in the fight against transphobia and homophobia

UNHRC Statement a major step in the fight against transphobia and homophobia

WORLD, 22/03/2011

Compared to a similar Human Rights Council joint declaration on this topic in 2006 and to a UN General Assembly Statement in 2008, this Statement establishes as a principle that “no one should face stigmatization, violence or abuse on any ground, and that in dealing with sensitive issues, the Council must be guided by the principles of universality and non-discrimination. This was enabled by the preceding 2008 UN General Assembly Statement, which for the first time inserted sexual orientation and gender identity in the UN interpretation of the Universal declaration of Human Rights, by reaffirming the non-discrimination principle of international law, requiring that human rights apply equally to each human being.

Today’s joint declaration by 85 member countries of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, calling for an end to violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is a very significant step forward towards international consensus on LGBTI people’s rights, according to ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. ILGA considers the fact that the amount of countries willing to sign on to a declaration like this is approaching a majority of UN members, is a credit to the increased sensitivity of national governments, and the work of international, regional and local LGBTI human rights activists all over the World, particularly the International Coalition of LGBTI organizations that worked together with national governments and provided the information they requested through the process of preparing the declaration.

“We welcome the Statement just read at the UN Human Rights Council and signed by 85 Countries, as a sign of the growing international, cross-regional consensus around the need to protect people persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Also to engage in a truly universal application of human rights”, said Renato Sabbadini, one of ILGA’s two Co-Secretary Generals, speaking from ILGA’s headquarters in Brussels. According to Sabbadini “The strength of this Statement makes the defence of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans and intersex people on the basis of a mistaken sense of “tradition” or “natural order” more untenable than ever. Homophobia and transphobia are more and more acknowledged for what they truly are: the last crumbling pillars of a patriarchal order which belong with other dark pages of our past, like slavery and the Inquisition.”

Compared to a similar Human Rights Council joint declaration on this topic in 2006 and to a UN General Assembly Statement in 2008, this Statement acknowledges for the first time also the positive developments on recognition of LGBTI human rights in each region of the world. It also establishes as a principle that “no one should face stigmatization, violence or abuse on any ground, and that in dealing with sensitive issues, the Council must be guided by the principles of universality and non-discrimination. This was enabled by the preceding 2008 UN General Assembly Statement, which for the first time inserted sexual orientation and gender identity in the UN interpretation of the Universal declaration of Human Rights, by reaffirming the non-discrimination principle of international law, requiring that human rights apply equally to each human being.

“We are very pleased and proud of the results achieved through the hard work of the International Coalition of Organizations for LGBTI rights and each of the groups that made the efforts in its country. This work has raised awareness not only of more and more governments, but obviously has been steadfast in its commitment to human rights protection. It is a historical moment we're happy to be part of”, said Gloria Careaga, ILGA’s other Co-Secretary General today in Mexico-City. Careaga stressed that “This time more countries have joined. The ongoing discussions on violence and discrimination raised by LGBTI people in international arenas, especially in the Human Rights Council, have opened the eyes of those that did not recognize the abuse that happened daily”.

Apart from more countries signing the joint declaration, 85 this year to 66 in 2008 and 54 in 2006, there is also a shift towards more countries from the South signing on, including from regions where these issues are still highly sensitive like Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Among the newcomers in signing the declaration are countries like: Dominica, Honduras, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Seychelles.

ILGA is set to encourage countries all over the world to embrace the contents of this declaration by incorporating them in national policies and national law, and as such will keep coordinating its work with the international coalition of LGBTI organizations. In this context ILGA is presently planning an International Panel to be held parallel to the next Human Rights Council meeting in June on “The Growing Consensus: Towards the End of Criminalization and Human Rights Violations based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”.

Mario Kleinmoedig

ILGA Press Officer

For commentary contact ILGA Co-Secretary General Renato Sabbadini

at +32 474857950 or +39 3356067158 or renato@ilga.org

illegality of male to male relationships:

79/242 countries
illegality of female to female relationships:
45/242 countries
death penalty:
8/242 countries