Be gay: break the law (in 76 countries)

Study Finds Being Gay Is a Crime in 76 Countries

A comprehensive study of gay rights conducted by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association found that being gay is a crime for which individuals are persecuted in 76 countries worldwide. Seven of those countries punish same-sex acts with death. "On a global scale, the nations doing something positive for gay rights are dwarfed by those behaving negatively," the Independent on Sunday reported after seeing the study. "While 75 countries will imprison you if you are gay, only 53 have anti-discrimination laws that apply to sexuality. Only 26 countries recognize same-sex unions." While Britain, home of the Independent, is considered a relatively progressive nation where gay people can adopt children, can enjoy civil ceremonies, and are protected from discrimination by legislation, Stonewall, a gay rights organization, says there is still work to be done. "We are mindful that however remarkable the progress we might be making in Britain is, there are countries around the world where people still live in fear of their lives just because of the way they were born," said Ben Summerskill, Stonewall's chief executive. Even in Britain, Stonewall says, two-thirds of young lesbian, gay, and bisexual students are subject to homophobic bullying in school. According to Amnesty International, sub-saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East are the areas of greatest concern for gay rights, but the group is quick to also call out "Western nations becoming complacent." Referring to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Widney Brown of the group said: "The U.S. is the only country in NATO with a prohibition of being openly gay in the military."

Read original story in The Independent on Sunday | Monday, Aug. 2, 2010