In the United States, universal support of the dyke, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community has increased in recent years. These changes are associated with increased visibility of openly gay characters on television, the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” and the Supreme Court judgment that legalized same-sex marriage.
Nevertheless, violence against sexual minorities remains a major widespread health problem in the U.S. and internationally. A recent study concluded that approximately 50 percent of LGBT adults experience bias-motivated aggression at some point.
For every highly publicized operate of violence toward sexual minorities, such as the recent mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, there are many more physical and verbal assaults, attempted assaults, acts of property damage or intimidations which are never reported to authorities, enable alone publicized by the media.
What spurs on these acts of violence? Can we do anything to prevent them? Fortunately, an extensive body of social science research exists that identifies perpetrators’ motivations and suggests ways we can reduce the likelihood of these acts of aggression toward sexual minorities.
Reinforcing the
Which countries impose the death penalty on gay people?
Around the world, queer people continue to face discrimination, violence, harassment and social stigma. While social movements have marked progress towards acceptance in many countries, in others homosexuality continues to be outlawed and penalised, sometimes with death.
According to Statistica Research Department, as of 2024, homosexuality is criminalised in 64 countries globally, with most of these nations situated in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 12 of these countries, the death penalty is either enforced or remains a possibility for confidential, consensual same-sex sexual activity.
In many cases, the laws only apply to sexual relations between two men, but 38 countries own amendments that include those between women in their definitions.
These penalisations represent abuses of human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression, the right to develop one's own individuality and the right to life.
Which countries enforce the death penalty for homosexuality?
Saudi Arabia
The Wahabbi interpretation of Sharia law in Saudi Arabia maintains that acts of homosexuality should be disciplined in the sa
Homosexuality: The countries where it is illegal to be gay
Reality Check team
BBC News
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US Vice-President Kamala Harris who is on a tour of three African countries - Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia - has drawn criticism over her support for LGBTQ rights.
In Ghana, in a speech calling for "all people be treated equally" she appeared to criticise a bill before the country's parliament which criminalises advocacy for homosexual rights and proposes jail terms for those that determine as lesbian, male lover, bisexual, or transgender.
The country's Speaker Alban Bagbin later called her remarks "undemocratic" and urged lawmakers not to be "intimidated by any person".
In Tanzania, a former minister spoke against US help for LGBTQ rights ahead of the visit and in Zambia some conflict politicians have threatened to hold protests.
Where is homosexuality still outlawed?
There are 64 countries that contain laws that criminalise homosexuality, and nearly half of these are in Africa.
Some countries, including several in Africa, have recently moved to decriminalise gay unions and enhance rights for LGBTQ people.
In December
Internalised homophobia and oppression happens to gay, lesbian and bisexual people, and even heterosexuals, who have learned and been taught that heterosexuality is the norm and “correct way to be”. Hearing and seeing negative depictions of LGB people can lead us to internalise, or seize in, these negative messages. Some LGB people withstand from mental distress as a result.
A general feeling of personal worth and also a positive view of your sexual orientation are critical for your mental health. You, prefer many lesbian, gay and bisexual people, may own hidden your sexual orientation for a long moment. Research carried out in Northern Ireland into the needs of young LGBT people in 2003 revealed that the average age for men to realise their sexual orientation was 12, yet the average age they actually confided in someone was 17. It is during these formative years when people are coming to know and acknowledge their sexual orientation that internalised homophobia can really affect a person.
Internalised homophobia manifests itself in varying ways that can be linked to mental health. Examples include:
01. Denial of your sexual orientation to yourself and others.
02. Attempts to a
Why do LGBTQ rights face so much opposition in Africa?
Francis, as he wants to be referred to, is a gay Ugandan who lives in fear monitoring the passage in parliament last month of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023. It calls for harsh penalties against anyone who engages in same-sex attracted sex.
LGBTQ activists in Uganda said the bill's passage triggered a wave of arrests, evictions and mob attacks against male lover people.
Francis spoke to DW about how he and other queer people in the East African nation fear for their lives.
"We are going through a lot of difficulties," he said. "We've been harassed so much. Our rights are often abused, [we are] physically attacked and socially excluded."
'Draconian' legislation
Francis said he is in a state of shock and misery due to such treatment.
"We feel as if we are not human beings here in Uganda, because the way we are being treated, we really ponder that maybe we are aliens in Uganda," Francis lamented. "Imagine, just because of our sexuality."
The draconian bill, if signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, would impose the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and 20-
