Blog: Perspectives

Marriage equality is a complex issue, with opponents and advocates across nations and political dispositions. In order to delve into the intricacies of the issue and understand it more fully, I will produce a three-part series of posts, each focusing on a particular aspect of global marriage equality. I will compare the variations of LGBTIQ human rights in countries with and without same-sex marriage or civil unions, discuss global backlash to recent gains in marriage equality, and the benefits and drawbacks of the institution of marriage itself.

Much like a butterfly effect, the activism by foreign lesbian activists during the 1995 Beijing conference brought into China concepts of ‘NGO-ization’, created learning opportunities for Chinese lesbian activists, and connected foreign lesbian activists with local lesbians. It inspired a generation of lesbians to consider strategic cooperation with the feminists working for the state apparatus and laid the groundwork for future engagements and collaborations.

Although the Southeast Asian region has made vast strides in terms of economic development, it is still, as a collective, regressive and draconian in the promotion of civil liberties. Violations against minorities by state actors are most evident in the overt discrimination and lack of legislative protections for individuals whose sexual orientations and gender identities are non-conforming.

Last Tuesday, a Massachusetts federal court recognized American Christian extremist Scott Lively’s actions in Uganda as clear human rights abuses in the ruling on SMUG v. Lively.

OutRight Action International honors and remembers the victims of the shooting on Latin Night at Pulse Club in Orlando one year ago. We are still deeply saddened by the loss of 49 lives and injuries to more than 50 others in the ISIS-claimed attack; an attack which was an act of hate and violence against LGBTIQ persons and our fundamental dignity.

On 21 May 2017 at 8PM, the city police, not Jakarta police, raided the Atlantis Gym. One hundred and forty-one men were rounded up as suspects under Jakarta’s anti-pornography laws. Since the raid, 126 of whom 3 were foreigners have been released. 10 have been charged under the anti-pornography laws of which 2 are female staff at the gym.

Saturday, 29th April, marked President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office prompting much analysis on this administration’s performance and policies over the last few months. Following the analysis of Trump’s first 100 days, OutRight decided to summarize our own actions since the new administration assumed power.