“Despite five decades of progress, Equality is not within reach, and often out of sightfor all people affected by violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States, ” said Victor Madrigal-BorlozIndependent United Nations expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Mr. Madrigal-Borloz presented conclusion after a 10-day visit to Washington DC, Birmingham, Alabama; Miami, Florida; and San Diego, California.
While there, according to a press release issued by the human rights office, OHCHRhe met officials from each state, members of civil society and others who shared their experiences.
He said people in the LGBT community, especially people of color, continue to face significant inequalities related to health, education, employment and housing, as well as being affected by violence.
While significant measures have been taken by the Biden administration to address these challenges, they are still “under a coordinated attack.”
‘Riptide negative’
“I am deeply alarmed by the widespread, far-reaching negative riptide created by deliberate actions aimed at subverting the human rights of LGBT people at the state level,” he said. note that they include deeply discriminatory measures that seek to rebuild stigma against lesbians and gays, limited comprehensive education about sex and sexuality for all, and access to therapy, sports and gender-affirming single-sex facilities for transgender and gender-diverse people.
“Evidence shows that, without exception, these actions are based on prejudiced and discriminatory views of LGBT people, especially transgender children and youth.and seek to use their lives as a tool for political gain,” said the independent expert.
Mr. Madrigal-Borloz also met with authorities at a detention center for asylum seekers and the San Ysidro port of entry on the border with Mexico, expressing concern that LGBT asylum seekers and refugees “are concerned.”continue to suffer the consequences of discriminatory frameworks that were adopted by the previous administration and not yet liftedaccording to the press release.
He noted that the United States played a central role in the design and adoption Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man“Provided a compass towards a world where all people see their dignity respected and live freely and equally.”
‘Thoughtful strategy’
“The Biden-Harris administration has adopted strong and meaningful actions consistent with international human rights law, revealing a thoughtful strategy crafted through participatory approaches and providing grants considerable competence for their implementation. This is exactly the combination of values, knowledge, and muscle that can drive social change.
“In the light of a coordinated attack to undermine these actions, I encourage the administration to redouble its efforts to support human rights of all LGBT people living under its jurisdiction, and help them reach safe waters,” he said.
Special rapporteurs and independent UN-appointed experts are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
St Kitts and Nevis decriminalizes gay sex
United Nations agency working to end the AIDS epidemic, UNAIDSon Tuesday welcomed a ruling in High Court of St. Kitts and Nevis that the law criminalizing same-sex sex is unconstitutional.
This landmark decision meant that the laws were immediately removed from the legal code of the Caribbean islands, which remained in place after independence from the United Kingdom in 1983.
The court upheld the plaintiffs’ claim that Sections 56 and 57 of the Crimes Against Persons Act violated the right to privacy and free speech.
‘Everyone benefits’
“This landmark ruling is an important step forward in ensuring equality and dignity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in St. Kitts and Nevis and the entire Caribbean,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Today, St. Kitts and Nevis join a a growing list of Caribbean countries have overturned colonial-era laws denying people’s human rights and inhibit the response to the HIV pandemic. Everyone benefits from de-coding.”
Laws that punish same-sex relationships, in addition to violating the human rights of LGBT people, are also a significant obstacle to improving health outcomesUNAIDS said, including in the response to HIV.
Such laws simply perpetuate stigma and discrimination against LGBT people and are a barrier to LGBT people seeking and receiving health care for fear of punishment or detention.
Decriminalization saves and changes livesThe agency noted in a press release.
