According to one of the few special envoys for queer rights around the globe, the world is at an inflection moment with respect to LBGTQ rights.
While there has been significant progress in human rights around the world, only four countries have a diplomat who is specifically trained to deal with LGBTQ issues. This Sunday’s New York Pride parade saw three of them march together: Jessica Stern, the U.S. special envoy; Fabrizio Petri, the special envoy from Italy for human rights; and Alba Rueda, from Argentina.
Despite some noteworthy achievements recently aEUR”, Argentina’s president established a quota of trans people in the public service aEUR”. The trio acknowledged that things weren’t always moving forward.
They spoke to All Things Considered about their work and offered some insight on the current state of queer people in the world.
This interview was lightly edited to increase clarity and length.
How the world looks for LGBTQ people worldwide
Stern: I believe we are at an inflection stage that offers equal opportunities and crises. Botswana just seven months ago decriminalized homosexuality. This is a great example because it shows that sodomy laws are being rescinded more often than ever. Nine countries have made homosexuality illegal in the past six years.
Petri: It is important to have a strategy. It is vital that countries with similar interests work together. It is known that homosexuality is still a crime in 70 countries. 11 of these countries still have the death penalty. Our dream is to have an influence on those countries.
Rueda says: I believe we must have an impact on the multilateral basis for human rights voices like the Equal Rights Coalition, the United Nations and other spaces to discuss LGBT rights.
These envoys have specific goals in mind.
Stern: Among the goals is the decriminalization or elimination of homophobic status and conduct in all countries on the planet. Transgender identity recognition is legal for all people, trans, non-binary and intersex. Stopping the practice of corrective rape and conversion therapy and forced anal exams. Also, stop the notion that LGBTQIA persons are child abusers, sinners or inherently criminal and/or other.
On whether they believe their work in foreign countries is at risk of creating the false narrative that homosexuality or trans identity are an invention from the West
Petri: No. I was in Pretoria (South Africa) where there is an important University, The University of Pretoria facult of law. Many African and Black openly gay researchers are available to conduct research on their history, as there is a narrative in Africa. There were many same-sex marriages in the African 1,000 tribes. They want to emphasize that while all of what you said is true, it is a narrative. But culture is the only way to find the answer. Engage with the person to truly understand.
Stern: The majority of sodomy laws in the world today are a result of colonialism. Homophobia and anti-trans views result from colonialism and Western influence. In contrast, LGBTQIA persons have always existed in every country on Earth. Fabrizio Pertri said, “Study your history. You will always find LGBTQIA persons in art and history if your national truth is right.”
What they thought while marching through NYC Pride
Stern: I think of all the people who can’t celebrate pride festivals. I think of all the LGBTQIA activists that have attempted to organize pride. They’ve been banned legally, attacked with water cannons and beaten with rotten eggs, stones and other ill-treatments. Portia Jacklin from Uganda, who was a well-known activist, is a friend. She organized the first Pride Festival in Uganda. She puts on an amazing festival, despite being confronted with a lot of opposition every year. As I marched in New York City Pride, my thoughts and songs were about all those who don’t have this luxury. I tried to bring their energy along with me.
Rueda is a pride parade that takes place in November in Argentina. So, in Argentina we hold a march against transfemicides (the murders of transgender females). Because visibility and pride are for our rights, that’s what I am thinking about.
