Why We Need International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Being gay is still a criminal offence in many countries

Many members of the LGBT2Q community are still unwilling to publicly express themselves for fear of persecution, physical and psychological harm and death. Although being a member of the LGBT2Q community is widely accepted in many countries, it is still illegal in far too many.

In a country like the United States, the rights of LGBT2Q members are suppressed in several very red conservative states. Although it is against the law to discriminate against a person based on their sexuality, it happens every day and new laws are being drafted that further denies members of the LGBT2Q community equality.

“My Administration will always stand with the LGBTQI+ community.  Already, we have rolled back discriminatory policies targeting LGBTQI+ Americans, and we have made historic appointments of LGBTQI+ individuals to the highest levels of our government.  We continue to implement my executive orders to advance equality and equity.  And I continue to urge Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would confirm critical civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for all Americans.” Said US President Joe Biden

In many African and Middle Eastern countries, being gay can land you in jail or punishable by death. The fact that people are still not freely allowed to love, associate or marry who they want, signals society still has a long way to go. Until we get there, we need more days like International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia to ensure our friends of the LGBT2Q community have a voice.

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