“STOP CRUCIFYING QUEERS – OUTRAGE!,” OutRage protest, London, United Kingdom, c. 1
“STOP CRUCIFYING QUEERS – OUTRAGE!,” OutRage protest, London, United Kingdom, c. 1996. Photo by Steve Mayes, c/o OutRage. . On May 17, 1990, twenty-seven years ago today, the World Health Organization announced its decision to remove homosexuality from the international listing of mental health disorders. In 2004, queer rights organizations from around the world—and specifically those focused on developing countries—sought international recognition of May 17 as a day to draw awareness to the ongoing impact of anti-queer violence, discrimination, and repression. . On May 17, 2005, twelve years ago today, organizations around the world marked the first International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). . In 2009, in order to recognize the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by trans and gender nonconforming people worldwide, “Transphobia” was added to the name of the commemoration. And, increasingly, “Biphobia” is recognized as a threat of equal measure, as is violence against any member of the community. . In recognition of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we offer the following reminder: to be queer is to be criminal in 72 countries; 13 countries provide the death penalty for same-sex sexual activity (though only 8 countries have implemented the penalty in recent years); in 14 countries, LGBTQIAs face life in prison if discovered; in 52 countries, the penalty can run up to 14 years in prison. . While 85 countries offer some protections, only 9 states offer constitutional guarantees to protect the queer community; in the vast majority of countries, our community is forced to seek protection from a patchwork system of statutes, case law, and custom. As too many know too well, these so-called protections can be fleeting. . In recent weeks, the threat of anti-queer discrimination has been made painfully clear through the reports of mass incarcerations, torture, and killing of queer men in Chechnya. . As Pride season approaches, we urge those fortunate enough to be protected by family, friends, custom, and law to remember: None of us is free until all of us are free. #lgbthistory #HavePrideInHistory #Resist #IDAHOT -- source link
#resist#idahot#haveprideinhistory#lgbthistory