Petition Tag - lesbian

Enough is enough! Aderonke Apata is a leader and fighter for women from all over the world and we stand together.

With a deep belief and care for the rights of women to liberty, dignity and respect, Aderonke - a lesbian woman from Nigeria - helped women know how to fight for their rights in Yarl’s Wood. A group of gay women including Aderonke, started a Movement for Justice group to bring women together – lesbian and straight – to tell the world the truth about the brutality of detention, the denial of justice, the mental torture, the lack of real healthcare.

In October 2012 the women witnessed a detainee (Chirstine N) being dragged by male guards screaming and naked through the corridors to be deported. It lead to a protest, in which the a mass meeting was called in the canteen, and Adreonke read out the demands the MFJ group had drafted. The demands told about the terrible conditions in Yarl's Wood, the lack of justice, and added the demand for Christine's return from the airport, and were voted for unanimously. Women in the canteen, and more who were held in the corridors outside - over 200 - took this stand for the dignity and humanity of all.

Aderonke has since been beaten, and moved to a prison on no charge, to separate her from the other women and disrupt their unity.

In Yarl’s Wood there are women of every background: gay and straight, young and old, disabled or ill, pregnant, trafficked, raped, tortured, beaten, forced into marriage, mothers and grand mothers. Being sent back to home countries means being sent into the hands of oppressors and abusers, it is a death sentence.

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Asylum Now for Aderonke, Alice, Freda, Zaina, Frank, Sarah, Ya and Esther

Enough is Enough!

Stop Deporting Lesbians & Gay Men to Face Torture and Death.

This petition has been launched by Movement for Justice working with women who are currently detained in Yarls Wood detention centre. Aderonke, Alice & Freda have been organising from inside Yarls Wood, now joined by Frank, Zaina and Sarah to get signatures on their petition from other detainees and make their fight known in the press and public eye. Update: the MFJ Yarl's Wood group is ever growing, and so new names will be added as more women step forward

Homophobic abuse is more common than most people think. 1 in 3 LGBT people have experienced some kind of homophobic attack. Help to stamp out homophobia now!

Please help us to get justice – we face deportation orders from the UKBA back to our different and various Homophobic African countries namely Nigeria, Cameroon and Uganda where Homosexuality is criminalised and widely frowned at by the society.

The UKBA is subjecting us to mental and emotional torture. It refuses to accept that we are lesbians, despite all the bundles of evidences we have provided, but it is fully aware that we are being abused just because we are lesbians by some of the detainees in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre who come from our own countries. That will make us more vulnerable to persecution if we are deported.

The UKBA is cynically exposing us to this abuse, which includes repeated verbal insults and serial humiliation that has become physically threatening.

The UKBA allows a pastor to operate in Yarl’s Wood who constantly uses derogatory words and prayers against LGBT people. The UKBA is responsible for allowing this pastor (Pastor Fatima) to whip up homophobia in Yarl’s Wood, and it knows that this is just the tip of the iceberg of the tortures we will be exposed to if we are deported from Britain.
These include risks such as community violence, rape, extortion and other forms of sexual assault particularly if imprisoned if following been forcefully returned to these hostile Homophobic environments.

Update: Because of the action of the now 30 women of the Yarls Wood MFJ group, the detainee who was operating as a paster, preaching her homophobic abuse form the pulpit has been removed form the centre - Action must be kept up so that all the women are freed 20/09/12

We are particularly at danger of being killed by members of the society as we will not be able to get protection from the governments of our individual country who already criminalise Homosexuality – our sexual orientation.

Please sign our petition and help us spread the word...

Aderonke Apata (Nigeria)
Alice Nji (Cameroon)
Freda Nsumba (Uganda)
Zaina Nakanwagi (Uganda)
Frank Zalwango (Uganda)
Sarah Najjuma (Uganda)
Ya (Gambia)
Esther Chimwala (Malawi)

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In recent years, health care policy makers and providers have taken steps to develop initiatives that will advance cultural competence in the medical field.

Evidence that cultural competency improves quality of care and eliminates racial, ethnic, and religious disparities has given health care providers and policy makers the impetus to be more culturally attuned.

Research has shown that a successful provider-patient encounter bolsters patient satisfaction, increases the likelihood that medical instructions will be adhered to, and can be linked to a positive health outcome. As the United States becomes increasingly diverse, it is important that all workers who come into contact with patients are prepared to encounter myriad perspectives regarding medicine and health.

The provider-patient relationship is of such prognostic importance that several states have either proposed or passed legislation mandating that physicians and medical students take courses that increase their sensitivity towards and make them more responsive to the needs of minority patients. In 2005, New Jersey made this training compulsory for physicians who wish to obtain or renew a medical license.

While these measures have undoubtedly been instrumental in fostering positive attitudes towards patient differences, awareness of the unique issues pertinent to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population is scant. In particular, the transgender population is the most likely to experience mistreatment, harassment, and bias in a health care setting. Even in the progressive state of California, the Transgender Law Center reports that its clients encounter discriminatory conduct. Across the country, transgender people are asked inappropriate and unnecessary questions about their genitals, endure slurs and name calling, and are denied the request to be addressed by their preferred name and gender. Some medical providers will even condemn their transgender patients and openly express disgust and hostility.

According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, the largest compilation of data concerning transgender people to date, 28% of respondents reported being verbally harassed in a medical setting, and 2% reported being physically attacked. Half of all respondents found that their doctors are ignorant of basic tenets of transgender health. Finally, 19% of respondents have been denied treatment altogether, even though fourteen states, including New Jersey, have laws in place that prohibit health care discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming patients. High profile cases include that of Robert Eads, a female to male transgender with ovarian cancer who died after he was denied treatment by over twenty doctors, and that of Tyra Hunter, a pre-operative transgender woman who died at the scene of a car accident after emergency medical technicians uttered derogatory slurs in references to her genitalia and withdrew medical care.

The impact of marginalization is so powerful that it has ostracized transgender individuals from the medical community entirely. One fourth of survey respondents reported that they postpone care due to the disrespect that they anticipate from providers.

Additionally, it has come to the recent attention of this petition's author that certain NJ medical facilities are in dire need of culturally competent care that caters to the LGBT community, especially the transgender population. In particular, anecdotal evidence concerning the misconduct demonstrated by workers in the psychiatric department of a New Jersey hospital has elucidated the need for reform as soon as possible. Unacceptable behavior reported includes: refusal to comply with a patient's desire to be addressed by a preferred gender, consistently unsympathetic attitudes towards related requests, the denial of medically necessary and previously prescribed hormonal treatments during inpatient hospital stays, the heavy reliance of the staff on psychotropic drugs to treat gender dysphoria, the fabrication of sexual abuse incidents during a patient's childhood to rationalize gender dysphoria, hostility towards patients who revealed their homosexual or gender nonconforming status, and threats to hospitalize a patient indefinitely because it was believed that their gender non-conforming status was indicative of mental illness. The transgender population is disproportionately represented among suicide statistics.

The 41% suicide rate among transgender people is more than 25 times the rate of the general population, which is 1.6%. Thus, it is imperative that psychiatric facilities be equipped to assist the transgender people that come to them in a state of crisis. The treatment of transgender people in doctor's offices, hospitals, and psychiatric wards is reprehensible. Oftentimes, the treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual patients is not much better.

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We have no rights as straight people do and we deserve to be treated with the same respect.

Acceptance of LGBT persons in the Americas varies widely. Same-sex marriages have been recognized in Canada nationwide since 2005 and in Argentina since 2010. Same-sex marriage in Mexico City is recognized nationwide, while in the United States, same-sex marriages are recognized by several states, but not the federal government. Same-sex marriage in Brazil is recognized in one state and in many cities of the country.

Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands are recognized in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. Furthermore, some other nations have laws recognizing other types of same-sex unions, as well as LGBT adoption and military service by LGBT people. However, eleven other nations, all of them in the former British West Indies, still have criminal punishment for buggery on their statute books. These eleven countries include Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

See wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_the_Americas

kandygirl44@gmail.com

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In Australia the Australian Red Cross do not allow Gay/Bi Men to donate blood.

Every Blood Donation is tested so there should be no risk of any infection from Stright or Homosexual people.

For every blood donation made up to 3 peoples lives can be saved. There are thousands of Gay/Bi Men who are willing to donate blood. So if you multiply them (1000's) by 3 that is how many lives could by saved by allowing Gay/Bi Men to Donate Blood.
Or worse think of how many people may die/suffer without there donations.

Other countries already allow Gay/Bi Men to donate blood including Isreal, Switzerland & Spain.

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Gay people have been around for longer than anyone alive today, why stop gay people to live a happy normal life, what makes gays so different to everyone else, THEY DESERVE TO BE HAPPY LIKE THE REAST OF US.

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Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia MUST STAY!

Justice delayed is justice denied.

End the degrading treatment of Refugees.

Grant asylum to Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia NOW.

Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are lesbian/gay activists and civil rights leaders from Uganda and Senegal, nations where openly gay people are politically persecuted, imprisoned and murdered for being gay. Tacko, Asuman, Andrew, and Proscovia are seeking political asylum in Britain. Their outspoken and public opposition to the anti-gay political policies of the Ugandan and Senegalese governments means that a decision by the British government to return them to Uganda or Senegal is tantamount to a death sentence.

Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are members of the Movement for Justice and leaders of the struggles against racism and the scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers here in Britain. They are also tireless leaders of the struggle for lesbian/gay equality in Britain, Africa and other parts of the world. Both the governments and anti-gay death squads of Uganda and Senegal know their sexual orientation.

Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia have not been granted asylum, even though each of them filed a claim many months ago. Three survived torture; the fourth’s partner was tortured and killed. Living under the constant threat of deportation, never knowing what the next day holds, is an especially excruciating experience for these political asylum seekers.

Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia have not been granted asylum thus far because of their political activism in Britain. All four are members of the Movement for Justice and leaders of the struggles against racism and the scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers here in Britain. Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia are also tireless leaders of the struggle for lesbian/gay equality in Britain, Africa and other parts of the world. They are precisely the kind of leaders that Britain needs to progress as a society.

Last year Britain co-sponsored a Joint Statement on LGBT Rights by 85 countries at the United Nations, calling on governments like Uganda and Senegal to end the torture of LGBT people, protect their safety and human rights, and stop treating homosexuality as a criminal offence. Granting asylum to Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia is an easy, direct and meaningful way for the British government to show that its pious words will be backed by action.

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This is a petition by the Equality Network in support of our campaign for equal marriage in Scotland.

Please sign this petition if you agree that same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership should be legalised in Scotland.

This petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to:

1) Change the law to allow same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership.

2) Protect and extend freedom of religion and belief by allowing, but not requiring, religious and Humanist bodies to conduct same-sex marriages and/or register civil partnerships.

3) End the requirement for married transgender people to divorce before a full Gender Recognition Certificate can be issued.

For more information about the Equality Network campaign please visit: http://www.equalmarriage.org.uk

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For support of the gay rights in Slovenia!
Za sprejetje Družinskega zakonika v Sloveniji!

By signing this petition you appeal to the Slovenian government not to hold the referendum and to approve the proposal of the government 542-08/09-0008/ EPA: 0817-V, "Družinski zakonik" (Family Code), which extends civil marriage to lesbian and gay couples and puts heterosexual and homosexual partnerships on an equal legal footing, including extending the right of same-sex partners to adopt.

On 16 June 2011, Parliament endorsed in a 43:38 vote the family law bill defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman but abandoning the reference to family as the purpose of marriage [R1.3].

On 27 December 2011, the Slovenian Constitutional Court ruled that the holding referendum on the recently approved Family Code was constitutional. The Code is being challenged by conservative pro-family groups over the right of gay couples to adopt children. The referendum is expected to be held in March 2012.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/02/25/slovenia-letter-slovenian-members-parliament

http://www.mddsz.gov.si/en/

http://www.gaylawnet.com/laws/si.htm

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There are many technical definitions of marriage:

1.) The social institution in which a man and a woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments.

2.) The legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of two people to live as a married couple including the accompanying social festivities.

So, if their is a definition that excludes the joining of a man and women why aren't same genders allowed to get married? That blows my mind.

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Asylum NOW for Proscovia – Ugandan Lesbian Activist standing for freedom and justice.

Stop deporting LGBT activists to persecution and death. Amnesty now for all immigrants – no more second class citizenship.

Proscovia is an open lesbian activist and a member of the Movement for Justice - a leader fighting for the rights and equality of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and for equality for everyone who faces discrimination and injustice. She is a refugee from Uganda where the LGBT community faces constant persecution and lives with the threat of death, where homosexuality is illegal and MPs in the ruling party are proposing a bill that would introduce a death sentence for lesbians & gay men. 

Like so many lesbians in nations where homosexuality is persecuted, Proscovia faced intense pressure to conform and to marry; she had to keep her relationships secret and lived in constant fear of discovery. 

Proscovia came to Britain after experiencing torture and rape. Now in Britain she is fighting for her right to stay, to be free from persecution and abuse, to live and love openly. She is fighting a Home Office asylum system that refuses to accept the truth about the danger facing LGBT people in Uganda and elsewhere and routinely deports asylum seekers to countries where they face torture or death.  

BE at Proscovias hearing Wed 11 April 2012: http://www.facebook.com/events/301712633233655/


Hear Proscovia speak...

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In recent years the homosexual community has been slowly getting some rights all except the one they all want.

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Stop Cameroon From Attacking The Gay Community.

REPEAL HOMOPHOBIC LAWS.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JUST REPORTED THE CASE OF FRANCKY AND JONAH, 19 AND 20 YEAR OLD YOUNG MEN AWAITING TRIAL FOR HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT (THEY CROSS DRESS). ANOTHER YOUNG MAN MR. JEAN-CLAUDE ROGER MBEDE WAS JAILED FOR THREE YEARS FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACT AFTER HE WAS ENTRAPPED BY SECURITY FORCES.

FOR HOW LONG WILL THE WORLD BE SILENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF HOMOSEXUALS IN AFRICA AS A WHOLE? PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO BE FORWARDED TO BOTH THE HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE CAMEROONIAN GOVERNMENT. SILENCE IS COMPLICITY.

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It was estimated in 2011 that over 9 million Americans are either Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, or Transgender. If there is such a shortage for blood donors, then WHY can't a gay man donate blood?

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Despite the Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, North Carolina still has laws against consensual sex between two adults, if they are gay. While not prosecuted in courts, as recently as 2008, gay adults found engaged in intercourse could be arrested under "crimes against nature" laws, a Class 1 felony, and could be forced into a stay in jail and a fine.

Using these same laws and by exploiting loopholes in the Supreme Court's ruling, heavier punishments are able to be levied on homosexual couples than they would be on heterosexual couples. To quote the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Legal Association: "a heterosexual couple "parking" at night in a deserted area or making love in the woods will most likely be ignored by law enforcement officers. At most, they will be charged with indecent exposure, a misdemeanor. Two men in an identical situation, however, will usually be charged with [crimes against nature]—a felony"

We, as North Carolinians, do not deserve to live in a state where Dark-Ages laws are still on the books and are used to discriminate against homosexual citizens. The Supreme Court of the United States has already decided that these kinds of laws are unconstitutional, so we should demand that our state government act in accordance and repeal the shameful sodomy laws.

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The United States was founded on the Bible and it clearly speaks against same sex partners.

In reality by us allowing same sex marriage we would be condoning same sex relationships.

Are we that naive to go against everything the United States was founded on?

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Parents and teachers should have a say in what our kids learn in school.

I have never heard of any gay history that our kids need to learn. There is hardly enough money for our kids to learn what they need to in school why should we add to it.

We can't talk about GOD in schools and i feel that if you put gay history in our schools then you are looking at a problem with the church and state law.

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Free Edson Cosmas – Gay Tanzanian Activist standing for freedom and justice - detained in UK detention centre.

Stop deporting gay activists to persecution and death.

Amnesty now for all immigrants – no more second class citizenship.

Edson is a prominent, openly gay activist, member of Movement for Justice, and a leader fighting to bring forward the rights and equality of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and achieve greater equality.

Edson came to the UK as a student to be able to develop himself in a country where for the first time he could really be himself. He was known to be gay in Tanzania, where homosexuality is illegal and carries prison sentences of 25 years, and gay and lesbian activists are targeted for arrest. He has been attacked, beaten and denounced in Tanzania because of his sexuality – a typical experience for LGBTI people who are ‘out’. But in the UK instead of safety LGBTI people find detention, fast-track and the threat of deportation into even greater danger.

Edson Cosmas is not safe in Tanzania – Free Edson now!

Additional: If you have information, contacts or experience about LGBTI refugees from Tanzania please message us with your contact details.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Edson-Cosmas/224079517608222?sk=info

www.movementforjustice.org

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The services for same-sex attracted youth (Evolve and Inside Out) offered at the Adelaide Youth Health Service The Second Story (TSS) may soon be cut due to restructuring and reallocations of funding.

These services provide important support, education and a crucial opportunity for same-sex attracted youth to meet other young people and 'belong' within a confidential and safe space. The services have been running for over twenty years and there are no other similar services in Adelaide.

The cutting of the services seems to treat queer young people as if they are not an 'at-risk' group. However, queer youth are greatly overrepresented in suicide and homelessness statistics (1 & 2). A recent Australian report shows the importance of social support groups on the health and wellbeing of same-sex attracted young people (3).

South Australia's Youth Strategy for 2010-2014 already acknowledges that 'targeted responses are often required to meet the specific needs of different groups of young people, in particular those who... are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (GLBTIQ)' (4).

South Australia's "Strategic Plan for 2020 and beyond" further lists state visions and goals to
'educate young people about healthy living'
'advocate for and protect vulnerable people'
‘[foster a] a sense of place, identity, belonging and purpose'
and have the government 'work[ing] to protect and support those who are most vulnerable in our community' (5).

Cutting the Evolve and ISO services for same-sex attracted young people would directly undermine these goals.

The petition supports the ongoing survival of the groups and the highly important and positive impact they have on the lives and health of same-sex attracted young people in South Australia.


(1)
http://www.lgbthealth.org.au/sites/default/files/Alliance-LGBTI-Suicide-20101118.PDF

(2) http://www.latrobe.edu.au/ssay/assets/downloads/wti3_web_sml.pdf

(3) http://www.latrobe.edu.au/ssay/assets/downloads/Eval%20support%20groups%20August%2007.pdf

(4) http://www.officeforyouth.sa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=iMG1iscin3E=&tabid=710

(5) http://www.stateplan.sa.gov.au/assets/documents/627/Snapshot%20summary%20of%20CEB%20Report.pdf

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This year Ardrey Kell has fought hard to start their own chapter of a Gay-Straight Alliance in their school. After much hard work, they have had the success of forming a reliable club in which gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered youth all collaborate in an effort to provide a stable, safe, and productive environment for LGBT youth and their straight allies.

In their short lifespan the AK GSA has contributed in many ways to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district including, but not limited to:

-Joining together existing, nearby GSA's in our school district and networking them, something that has never been done before.

-Creating many successful inter-GSA social events that have brought awareness to many LGBT issues, such as: anti-bullying, harassment, trans-issues, gay-issues, teen suicides, LGBT rights, and the growth and importance of an educated youth.

- A committed team of students who find the opportunity to interact with similar, like-minded youth in a positive, and productive manner.

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Recently a bill has been introduced by South Australian Labor MLC Ian Hunter and Greens MLC Tammy Frank to legalise same-sex marriage. This petition aims to support this bill, giving gay couples the rights they deserve.

Many forward thinking countries recognise that the gay community should have the same opportunities to express their love and commitment.

However, Australia only recognises domestic partnerships. With your support, South Australia can lead the way to equality.

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2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It is one of the largest and most successful film festivals in the UK, with annual attendances of 28,000, and one of the UK’s most significant LGBT cultural events.

During this time the festival has played a vital cultural role, bringing audiences together to debate and discuss an extraordinary diversity of important work. It provides a space and platform for emerging talent, for provocative and political films, for innovation. Very little of this filmmaking can be seen in the UK outside of the festival. The BFI is to be congratulated for 25 years of commitment.

However, this year’s festival will be a shadow of its former self, with a radically cut-down programme of 6 days, rather than 14 and a substantial reduction of the activities and facilities that have made it an internationally acclaimed event. Of particular concern is the loss of the annual tour of festival highlights that ensured that the festival was enjoyed by audiences across the UK.

With 15% cuts to funding as a result of the government’s spending review, the BFI is necessarily having to tighten its belt. As such it’s understandable that some cuts need to be made to its activities. However, we are deeply concerned that the substantial cuts WELL ABOVE 15% to the 2011 festival will hinder this year's success and are a move towards the BFI severing its responsibilities for the event. Few festivals thrive - or indeed survive - without the support and commitment of a major cultural body. If the BFI was to drop the LLGFF we fear for its future.

Furthermore, we understand that the BFI will reviewing the future of the festival in April after the 2011 event and we urge Amanda Nevill (amanda.nevill@bfi.org.uk) Greg Dyke (greg.dyke@bfi.org.uk) and Board of Governors at BFI, Ed Vaizey (vaizeye@parliament.uk) and Boris Johnson (mayor@london.gov.uk) to ensure that:

The BFI commits to organising and hosting the annual LLGFF as an integral part of its cultural programme.

The BFI commits to ensure that the festival reaches out to audiences across the UK through a tour of cinemas or by making films available through its online platforms.

The BFI explores ways to reduce expenditure while maintaining the integrity of the festival’s programme, and in particular safeguards such vital elements as length of programme, pay for the festival curators, some industry services, and a budget to help filmmakers attend the Festival to present their work.

The BFI explores new avenues for support from individual donors.

The BFI considers the impact on its own membership base (25% of BFI members book tickets for the LLGFF) if it was to drop the festival.

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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

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The CBS has enforced an “indefinite deferral” for male donors who have had sex with men.

However, deferrals range from 6 to 12 months for people who have paid money or drugs for sex (sex workers), had sex with someone who was paid money or drugs for sex (sex workers), used drugs or steroids via needles, and have had sex with someone whose sexual history/background is unknown to them.

The above-mentioned activities leave a person at risk for HIV and STIs and yet they are allowed to donate blood after the deferral period has passed, from which they began engaging in these risky behaviours/activities.

The MSM indefinite deferral also applies to MSM who are in a monogamous or long-term relationship.

The Coalition of Justice for Gay Rights finds the actions taken by the Canadian Blood Services to be unfair because it deems all sexual activity by MSM risky, but give considerations and shorter deferral times to heterosexual people engaged in sexual activities that carry risks.

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This petition is here for you to sign to make gay marriage nationally legal. Please sign to insure we will no longer be second class citizens. All men are created equal.

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All Sexualities should be Happy, not just Opposite Sex Marriages. If you agree please sign below.

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We believe that Gay and Lesbian people should have the right to celebrate cultural diversity at the Pride event to be held in Townsville in September 2010.

Pride events such as this will only add to the cultural capital and economic impact of the Townsville community.

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Enforce the Equality Act and the Supreme Court ruling:

On 8 April 2010, United Kingdom Parliament passed the Equality Act 2010. This was a recognition that Britain’s Black, Asian, Muslim, ethnic minority, immigrant and Lesbian/Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) communities are a permanent, growing and dynamic force in the life of this nation. The right to equality and respect that lies at the heart of this Act must be the right of everyone who lives, works or studies here: it is divisive, discriminatory and inhumane to deny equal treatment to anyone based on their country of origin.

Around the world LGBTI communities are waging a mounting struggle for liberation and for fundamental democratic and civil rights. In many of the world’s poorest and most oppressed countries, LGBT communities, encouraged and inspired by the victories and rights won by sisters and brothers in western Europe and north America, are bravely and proudly refusing to be invisible any more, often in the face of fierce persecution. This is a global movement that crosses national boundaries.

Many LGBT people have had to come to Britain to seek asylum or as immigrants, in order to continue being open as the people they are and to continue the struggle. It is completely unacceptable that for years they have been denied the benefit of the rights secured by the LGBT communities in Britain, because of racist persecution by Britain’s immigration and asylum system.

It is unacceptable that the immigration authorities routinely isolate asylum seekers from society by holding them in detention, and accuse asylum seekers of falsely claiming to be LGBT. It is unacceptable that a country that has just adopted an Equality Act, guaranteeing LGBT people equal rights to be open as who they are without facing discrimination, has been deporting LGBT refugees to the countries they have fled from and telling them to pretend to be someone they are not, by hiding their lesbian, gay male, bisexual or transgender identity.

Now the fight for LGBT asylum rights has scored a major victory. On 7 July the UK Supreme Court overturned this policy. The court ruled that it is a contravention of the 1951 Refugee Convention to return LGBT asylum seekers to their home countries on the basis that they could live ‘discreetly’ – i.e. conceal their identities.

This strengthens the earlier victory that was won on 19 May when Britain’s Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition pledged that “We will stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.”

At the same time, however, the Government is cynically cutting the availability of legal aid to immigrants and asylum seekers. Unless we fight to reverse this decision immigrants and asylum seekers will be unable to avail themselves of the Supreme Court decision and the Government’s promise: they will be at the mercy of the immigration authorities because they can’t afford a lawyer. Only a united, collective struggle against racism and homophobia can defeat this policy and ensure the enforcement of the words and spirit of the Equality Act and the Supreme Court decision.

To that end we pledge to look for cases and conduct campaigns that set examples of using the Equality Act and the Supreme Court decision to the full and mobilising to implement them – e.g. by speaking the plain truth about racism and homophobia, demonstrating at tribunal and court hearings, opposing immigration raids on campuses or in workplaces, stopping deportations, and organising speak-outs to expose discrimination and empower our communities.

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As a former student at Lincoln Southeast High School, I know of, and am ashamed of how many times I heard the phrase "that's so gay" to describe a student's dislike of an assignment a teacher was handing out. It is very derogatory towards the LGBT students when a phrase like that is used.

Sirdeaner Walker survives her son Carl Walker-Hoover, who died by suicide after enduring constant bullying at school.
44.1 percent of LGBT students reported being physically harassed at school.
60.8 percent of LGBT students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

Check out www.thinkb4youspeak.com for more information.

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