Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights
Amnesty International believes that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy the full range of human rights, without exception. However, every day, across the globe, sexual orientation or gender identity leads to abuse in the form of discrimination, violence, imprisonment, torture, or even execution. Persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity can take a variety of forms and these contravene the basic tenets of international human rights law. By highlighting instances of abuse against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, Amnesty's activists work to protect members of the LGBT community whilst striving to achieve decriminalization and marriage equality. » Read more
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» Download the Activist Resource Packet for LGBT Pride 2009 (PDF 856K)
A Jihad for Love © firstrunfeatures.com Filmmaker Pervez Sherma explores the issue of homosexuality in Islam in his groundbreaking documentary A Jihad for Love. Following incredible success in New York City in May 2008, the film continues to be screened across the United States. 
LGBT Human Rights Defenders, Oundo George and Klilza Brenda, released from Prison in UgandaOn September 17, 2008, Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders were released after a week in police detention at Nabweru Police Post. They were released on bond, after being charged for 'involvement in indecent practices.' In detention, both were denied food for the first three days, despite the fact that Oundo George is diabetic. Oundo George was also denied medical treatment for his diabetes, which left him unwell after his condition worsened. They only received food when family and friends were able to bring it to them. The police sought information from Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda in order to identify other LGBT individuals. They were repeatedly beaten and mistreated whilst in detention. They were interrogated while being slapped and beaten with wooden batons, during which police demanded that they provide the names of, or further identify, other LGBT individuals. |
AI and Mozaika show Solidarity during Riga Pride 2008International solidarity was a key strategy for marchers in Riga's pride parade on Saturday, May 31st in Latvia's capital city. Amnesty International members from sections across Europe as well as numerous MPs and politicians marched to show their support for LGBT human rights in Latvia. The estimated 300 marchers, led by Latvian LGBT organization Mozaika, were outnumbered by anti-LGBT protestors held at bay by Riga police. In the weeks leading up to the pride march, some serious threats of violence were received by the event organizers, so marchers were apprehensive. Fortunately, none of the threats came to fruition and no of the marchers were attacked. 
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Marriage EqualityThe right of adults to enter into consensual marriage is enshrined in international human rights standards. Amnesty International believes that the denial of equal civil recognition of same-sex relationships prevents many people from accessing a range of other rights and stigmatizes those relationships in ways that can fuel discrimination and other human rights abuses against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. » Learn more |
DecriminalizationPeople detained or imprisoned solely because of their homosexuality — including those individuals prosecuted for having sex in circumstances which would not be criminal for heterosexuals, or for their gender identity — are considered to be prisoners of conscience and Amnesty International calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Amnesty International also calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality where such legislation remains. |
