Open Table Network

View Original

No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all

Open Table Network

THIS FRIDAY, 17th May, is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia [IDAHOBIT].

It was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people, anyone with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and people with diverse biological sex characteristics or intersex conditions.

IDAHOBIT is currently celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported around the world.

The date, 17th May, was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The day aims to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, corporations and opinion leaders to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and sex characteristics.

This year's theme, ‘No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all‘, was decided through extensive consultations with LGBTQIA+ organisations from across the globe.

The world has just celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR] - a cornerstone of international law, a guide to navigate a deeply divided world, a set of values that everyone can live by and ultimately a force for good.

And yet, we know that ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’ [UDHR article 1] represents a promise not yet fulfilled for LGBTQIA+ people across the world.

This year’s IDAHOBIT theme is a call for unity: only through solidarity for each other will we create a world without injustice, where no one is left behind.

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association [ILGA] world map database, in April 2024:

  • Almost a third [62] of the 193 United Nations [UN] member states criminalise consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex, with punishments ranging from 1 year to life imprisonment, forced labour, forced psychiatric treatment and flogging. The maximum penalty in seven UN member states is the death sentence.

  • 59 UN member states [31%] have laws against hate crime motivated by sexual orientation; 30 [16%] for hate crime motivated by gender identity; nine [5%] for hate crime motivated by gender expression [the way a person expresses gender identity, through appearance, dress and behaviour]; and five [3%] for hate crime motivated by variations in sex characteristics because of intersex conditions.

  • Only 16 UN member states [8%] regulate against so-called ‘conversion therapies’ which attempt to change sexual orientation or gender identity. In 13 other states [7%], there is only partial or indirect regulation.

  • 35 UN member states [18%] offer full marriage equality. Another 35 [18%] offer other forms of civil partnership for same-sex relationships.

  • Only nine UN member states [5%] restrict non-vital medical interventions aimed at modifying the sex characteristics of intersex minors without their free, prior and full informed consent. Two more [1%] only have partial restrictions in some regions.

  • 23 UN member states [12%] allow legal gender recognition for trans people based on self-identification; 18 [9%] allow non-binary people legal recognition of their gender identity; in at least 18 [9%], surgery or sterilisation is required; and in at least 23 [12%], a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria is required.

See these and other maps showing international laws and regulations relating to sexual orientation and gender identity here.

World map with six continents in the colours of the rainbow flag and LED tea lights representing countries which criminalise consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex, and countries where trans people are known to have died due to transphobia, at OTN’s IDAHOBIT vigil in May 2022.

PHOTO: Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.

How has the Open Table Network shown solidarity:

  • In 2020, OTN and other LGBTQIA+ Christian organisations hosted SpaceToBe, an online time of prayer and reflection in which Kieran from Open Table led a reflection on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia inspired by a Bible reading chosen by LGBT+ Christians to honour this day. WATCH HERE from 11:30 to 22:30.

  • In 2021, OTN and other LGBTQIA+ Christian organisations shared stories of solidarity for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia in an online celebration. WATCH HERE [49 mins].

  • In 2022, OTN and community partners in the Liverpool City Region hosted a celebration of diversity and inclusion, which ended with an anti-hate crime vigil remembering countries which criminalise consenting sexual acts between people of the same sex, and countries where trans people are known to have died due to transphobia. LED candles were placed on a large-scale map of the world which showed six continents in the colours of the rainbow flag. READ MORE.

  • In 2023, the Open Table Network [OTN] saw a large rise in requests for support from around the world, particularly from Uganda, where the President passed a harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act last year. In the closing communion service at our national gathering in June 2023, OTN trustee Neil Rees, who has more than 30 years’ experience in international mission, shared prayers of solidarity and a call to action for our LGBTQIA+ siblings. READ MORE.

How are you planning to mark this year’s IDAHOBIT?