Does the fight for equality ever end?

With another piece of anti LGBTQ+ legislation being passed this time in Uganda, this article I wrote only a week or so ago is came to my mind and I wanted to share it with you. The bill passed in Uganda is one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay legislation in Africa.

Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but this bill introduces many new criminal offences.

As well as making merely identifying as gay illegal for the first time, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities.

It was passed with widespread support in Uganda's parliament on Tuesday evening.

Read the full Story here

I have written many times that the road to equality often feels like one step forward two steps back. Looking at current events in the world the attacks taking place on LGBTQ+ rights and the rise in hate crimes and protests I wonder why. Is it that people in general are becoming less tolerant, there have and always will be bigoted people, but why the rise now?

In a discussion with friends last weekend, I was asked, did what was happening in other countries like the US, worry me and what did I personally think was the reason. My reply was “worry me, yes, actually, scares me, would be a more accurate description of how I feel right now” It used to be what happened “across the pond” rippled across to the UK. Now with modern communications, media, and social media, it no longer ripples it arrives like a tidal wave. So, what is happening in the US right now should not be ignored, we should not be complacent about it because it is or will also be happening in the UK. My simple explanation to my friends on Saturday evening was, “When the world swings right of centre in my experience we see less tolerance and more attacks on minority groups.”?It is however more complex than that simple statement.

First let’s talk about what is happening in the United States now. In recent years, the United States has seen a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has sparked outrage and concern among advocates of equality and civil rights. From state-level bans on transgender youth participation in sports to restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors, the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills threaten to roll back years of progress and jeopardize the well-being of millions of Americans.

The reasons behind this wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation are complex, but they are rooted in a toxic blend of religious fundamentalism, conservative politics, and fearmongering. Proponents of these bills often cite concerns about religious freedom and public safety, claiming that they are protecting children from harmful ideologies or defending traditional values.

However, the reality is that many of these bills are thinly veiled attempts to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals and deny them basic human rights. They are based on outdated stereotypes and myths about gender and sexuality, and they perpetuate harmful attitudes that have no place in a modern, inclusive society.

One of the most common types of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation right now, is so-called "bathroom bills," which seek to restrict access to public restrooms based on a person's gender identity. These bills are often based on the false notion that transgender individuals are predators or perverts who pose a threat to others in restrooms. In reality, transgender people are more likely to be the victims of harassment and violence in restrooms than the perpetrators.

Other types of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation include not introducing bans on conversion therapy, which is a discredited practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, and restrictions on LGBTQ+ adoption and foster care. These bills are based on the false belief that being LGBTQ+ is a choice or a mental illness, and they perpetuate harmful stereotypes that stigmatize and marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals.

State lawmakers in the US have already introduced more anti-LGBTQ bills this year than in the past five years combined.?

At least 385 anti-LGBTQ laws have been introduced at the state level in a majority of US states as of March 3 2023, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. By comparison, lawmakers introduced 162 anti-LGBTQ bills last year, 19 of which were signed into law. Between 2018 and 2022, state legislators introduced at least 361 anti-LGBTQ bills in total.

The impact of these bills is far-reaching and devastating. They create a culture of fear and intolerance that puts LGBTQ+ individuals at risk of discrimination, harassment, and violence. They deny them basic rights and protections that are afforded to other Americans, such as the right to marry, the right to access medical care, and the right to live without fear of persecution.

Furthermore, these bills send a dangerous message to the rest of the world that the United States is not a safe or welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. They damage the reputation of the US as a beacon of freedom and equality and undermine the values that made America a desirable country to live and work in.

So where is the UK in all this, the United Kingdom has seen an alarming rise in LGBTQ+ hate crime over recent years. There have been attempts to restrict access to healthcare for transgender individuals to proposed laws that would permit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, the current climate in the UK is one of growing concern for the rights of marginalized communities.

One of the most high-profile examples of this trend is the government's proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, which would make it significantly harder for transgender individuals to legally change their gender. This has sparked widespread outrage and protests from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, who argue that the proposed changes are discriminatory and violate the human rights of transgender individuals.

The government's stance on LGBTQ+ rights has also been criticized for its failure to address the issue of conversion therapy, a harmful and discredited practice that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite calls from LGBTQ+ organizations and mental health experts to ban the practice, the government has yet to take any concrete steps to do so. This ban was promised in 2018 and here we are 5 years later and only in Jan 2023 did the Government confirm it would publish a draft bill “shortly” We will see when published if they do as they promise or if there are loopholes.

In addition to these proposed changes, there have also been a number of incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence in the UK. In 2021, for example, a group of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters disrupted a pride march in London, leading to scuffles with police and counter-protesters. As I said previously, there have been reports of an increase in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in recent years, with many experts attributing this rise to the normalization of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in mainstream politics and media.

So why is this happening? There are a number of factors that may be contributing to the current climate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric in the UK. One possible explanation is the rise of right-wing populism, which has been on the rise in many parts of the world in recent years. This ideology often involves scapegoating marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ people for societal problems and may be contributing to the normalization of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and attitudes.

Another possible explanation is the influence of conservative religious groups, which have been vocal in their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and have lobbied the government to restrict access to healthcare and other services for LGBTQ+ individuals. The government's reluctance to take a strong stance on conversion therapy may be seen as evidence of this influence.

Whatever the reasons behind this trend and there are many as you can see, it is clear that the current climate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric in the UK is a cause for concern. It is a disturbing trend that must be challenged and resisted. We must stand up for the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. It is vital that lawmakers and other public figures take a strong stance in support of LGBTQ+ rights. We must reject the harmful stereotypes and myths that underpin these views and work together to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable society for all.

So, in answer to my question, does the fight for equality and equity ever end? I am afraid not just yet; it is a case of one step forward two steps back.

Nick Tiltman

Spectrum Your LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group