Tag: LGBTQ Human Rights

“I am gay – and that’s a good thing!” said Berlin’s former Mayor Klaus Wowereit prior to the 2001 elections. He is one of several prominent German politicians who are openly gay. Two of the three main political parties in the German Government are considered socially conservative in regards to queer rights. Despite this, the Berlin Pride Parade that takes place every year aims to celebrate the progress that Germany has made to ensure that the LGBTQ community gains equal...

In 1979, there was a protest held in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv. The protest drew attention to longstanding discrimination of the LGBTQ community in Israel. Today, Israel has progressed drastically in terms of their laws protecting the queer community and their celebration of queer culture. The parades were politically motivated at first, but transitioned to focus on LGBTQ rights, equality and equal representation. An individual used to serve up to 10 years in prison if they engaged in same-sex activities. In the...

This year, Zurich, Switzerland celebrated its 25th pride parade. Thousands of people crowded the city streets to celebrate the queer rights movement and advocate for social and legal changes. Switzerland is relatively progressive in regards to LGBTQ rights and freedoms, but there are a few legal changes that still need to take place for the queer community to gain full equality. In 1789, same-sex activities were decriminalized under the Napoleonic Code. Same-sex relationships have been legally recognized since 2007, when the...

London has been hosting Pride parades since 1972. The event attracts approximately a million people, and is the only annual event to close Oxford Street, one of the busiest streets in the city. Despite the size and popularity of Pride, the United Kingdom has endured a long battle with queer rights. The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 removed the death penalty for homosexuality, yet same-sex acts remained illegal, and were punishable by imprisonment. The police were very strict about laws against...

Out of more than 2,000 lawyers in Cameroon, Alice Nkom and her colleague Michel Togué are the only two prepared to defend the human rights of the local LGBTQ community. Nkom has devoted her life to upholding these rights, as the queer community has always faced violence and brutality. In Cameroon, same-sex relationships are banned under the criminal code. Those convicted receive between six months and five years in prison, and fines ranging between 20,000 and 200,000 West African CFA...