Well, it is sad to say, but no surprise that even in this day and age, there are many countries that still discriminate heavily against the LGBTQ+ ~ sometimes making such identities punishable by death. Although that is not the case in Russia, the nation is one of the most prominent and outspoken in its persecution of the LGBTQ+. And sure enough, the record numbers of openly gay and trans athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics have garnered derogatory and hateful comments from 2 of Russia’s leading television stations. {See article link below}
Even in the US, hate crimes, discrimination, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation have spiked, thanks largely to 4 years of the ideologies and policies of the Trump administration. Unfortunately, these trends are harsh reminders that the battle for equality and acceptance for the global LGBTQ+ community is far from over. With that in mind, hopefully the LGBTQ+ worldwide will be able to step up, stand strong, and support one another more than ever in the face of such terrible injustice.
To read the article on Russian LGBTQ+ persecution, click here.
It is unfortunate that there are so many places in the world, where an individual’s freedoms are being intruded upon so blatantly. Although we cannot change policies or philosophic view points of other nations , we can remember to be grateful for all the progress we have achieved here in the States for the LGBTQ community. Equal employment rights, marriage rights, rights to adoption and rights to a safe space for existence were once unheard of here too. Little by little changes are being made to include all members of society and for this I am most grateful.On that note I would like to offer my best wishes for all of the people trying to escape the tyranny of terrorist invasion in Afghanistan. I hope those honest , working class families are able to find sanctuary and shelter from the ominous and oppressive forces that are trying to keep people down. God speed.
Thank you for that, Britt. .. It is True, there is much to be grateful for in the progress that has been made globally for the LGBTQ+ community. .. Unfortunately, that does not mitigate the sickness of hate crimes, discrimination, and discriminatory legislation that still does occur. The Trump administration, for example ~ it is more than shocking that, in this day and age, an administration could and would be so blatantly racist, sexist, classicist, misogynistic, and homophobic. And so, while it is atrocious in the extreme, it is also not surprising that discrimination ~ including discriminatory legislation ~ and hate crimes, have spiked in recent years ~ especially for trans people. As many LGBTQ+ people will know, Trump banned trans people from serving in the military, And, incidents of violent attacks and even murder targeting trans people ~ particularly trans women of colour ~ have risen. Fortunately, Biden reversed Trump’s ban ~ and hopefully the violence against trans women ~ and the rest of the LGBTQ+ community ~ will decrease, too.
I’m with you about Afghanistan, as well ~ that’s a terrible situation.