Lgbt Essay

"All people, including lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, are entitled to enjoy the protections provided for by international human rights law, including in respect to rights to life, security of person and privacy, the right to be free from torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, the right to be free from discrimination and the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly." According to article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity rights." Therefore under no circumstance should the rights of LGBT people be violated. LGBT people deserve the same equal treatment, protection and rights as everyone else, but unfortunately that has not been the case. Throughout the years LGBT people have been deprived of many rights and has been ultimately subjected to sexual discrimination. LGBT people have been through much adversity throughout their life. Some of the major problems for homosexuals arose in the 1960s and early 70s when homosexuals were deemed as pathological. The notion of homosexuals being mentally ill ultimately caused them to be denied many jobs such a teaching and practicing psychiatry. Fortunately, despite some of the international objections and limitations of the LGBT people, the international norms supporting LGBT rights have substantially developed.

In contrast to before the Twentieth and Twenty-First Century, LGBT rights have greatly developed. For example, when South Africa introduced a resolution on human rights, sexual orientation, and gender identity to the United Nations human Rights Council, there was 23 in favor, 19 against, and 3 abstentions. The greater number of people in favor, supporting sexual orientation and gender identity essentially illustrates great development. Centuries ago, the number of people against sexual orientation and gender identity would of been substantially higher than the number of people in favor. The resolution was also an important moment in history because it marked the first UN resolution to bring specific focus to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There was an interesting notion that the "Liberal West" imposed their LGBT lifestyle and ideas on Africa. However, that notion proves false since South Africa received support on the resolution by Brazil and was co-sponsored by 39 nations around the world. The support of the 39 nations around the world also illustrates the growing support of LGBT rights and it signifies great development. The General Assembly of the Organization of American states has also taken great strides in eliminating discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and general identity. "Ten days earlier the General Assembly of the Organization of American States had adopted a resolution condemning "discrimination against persons by reason of their sexual orientation and gender identity."(http://globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/111101/opinion-the-globalization-lgbt-rights-fight). Fortunately, the resolutions ultimately served as imperative milestones for the global LGBT movement.

Many other countries has taken strides in improving LGBT rights, such as Ecuador, Mexico, and Argentina. "In 1998, Ecuador emulated aspects of the South African constitution by including express protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its constitution. In 2009, lawmakers in Mexico City ruled in favor of same-sex marriage and adoption. Argentina passed the "Law of Egalitarian Marriage" in 2010."(http://globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/111101/opinion-the-globalization-lgbt-rights-fight). Recently in Brazil the Supreme Court upheld a same-sex couple's right to marry. The fact that many countries around the world are supporting LGBT rights and implementing laws in attempt to preserve these rights ultimately reflects our advancement globally. There is legitimacy for the assertion of LGBT rights as human rights. "Sexual orientation and gender identity rights relate to the expression of sexual orientation and gender identity based on the right to respect for private life and the right to not be discriminated against on the ground of "other status" as defined in various human rights conventions, such as article 17 and 26 in the United Nations International covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 8 and article 14 in the European Convention on Human Rights."(http://en.wikepedia.org/wiki/human_rights). Human Rights and LGBT rights essentially share the same values. Human Rights exist because it is essential to preserve the God-given right of every human being on the planet. Regardless of what LGBT rights stand for, they're still rights and must be protected by any means necessary. I personally believe that every human being, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity should be entitled to the right to life, freedom of expression, freedom from slavery, freedom of speech, freedom of thought conscience and religion, and freedom to a fair trail.

Articles 17 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ultimately supports the legitimacy for the assertion of LGBT rights as human rights. According to article 17 "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks."(http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Professionalinterest/pages/CPR.aspx). Article 17 was essentially implemented to protect people from unlawful, and unethical interferences including a person's privacy, home, family or correspondence. It also protects an individual's honor and reputation. This particular article illustrates support for the recognition of the rights of LGBT people. For example, throughout history homosexuals have had many of their right to privacy, the invasion of their home, and has had multiple unlawful attacks on their reputation. The LGBT documentary which took place in Africa serves as perfect proof of that. In the film many of the LGBT people were beaten, tortured had their home invaded and unfortunately some of them was murdered.

According to Article 26 "All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origins, property, birth, or other statues."(http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Professionalinterest/pages/CPR.aspx). This article particularly illustrates