Gays on gays
The early s saw a major expansion of the Council of Europe membership due to the implode of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. In , for example, there were 22 member states whereas by this had risen to
To unite the Council of Europe, new member-states must undertake certain commitments, including conforming their criminal laws to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). As we know from the situation in Northern Ireland described in Dudgeon above, the ECHR right to privacy prohibits the criminalisation of same-sex activity. By the time candidate states from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc applied for membership of the Council of Europe, it was a condition of their accession to decriminalise.
By way of example, the following countries decriminalised at or around the time they joined: Lithuania (joined the Council of Europe in ; decriminalised in ), Estonia (; ), Romania (; ), Serbia (; ), Ukraine (; ), Albania (; ), Latvia (; ), Macedonia FYROM (; ), Moldova (; ), Russia (; ), Bosnia and Herzegovina (; ), Georgia (; ), Armenia (; )
Homosexuality: The countries where it is illegal to be gay
BBC News
US Vice-President Kamala Harris who is on a tour of three African countries - Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia - has drawn criticism over her support for LGBTQ rights.
In Ghana, in a speech calling for "all people be treated equally" she appeared to criticise a bill before the country's parliament which criminalises advocacy for homosexual rights and proposes jail terms for those that name as lesbian, queer , bisexual, or transgender.
The country's Speaker Alban Bagbin later called her remarks "undemocratic" and urged lawmakers not to be "intimidated by any person".
In Tanzania, a former minister spoke against US help for LGBTQ rights ahead of the visit and in Zambia some disagreement politicians have threatened to hold protests.
Where is homosexuality still outlawed?
There are 64 countries that possess laws that criminalise homosexuality, and nearly half of these are in Africa.
Some countries, including several in Africa, ha
Homophobes Might Be Hidden Homosexuals
Homophobes should consider a little self-reflection, suggests a new study finding those individuals who are most antagonistic toward gays and hold mighty anti-gay views may themselves include same-sex desires, albeit undercover ones.
The prejudice of homophobia may also stem from authoritarian parents, particularly those with homophobic views as well, the researchers added.
"This investigate shows that if you are feeling that kind of visceral reaction to an out-group, seek yourself, 'Why?'" co-author Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said in a statement. "Those intense emotions should serve as a call to self-reflection."
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The research, published in the April issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reveals the nuances
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. Notice acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender verbalization, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they utilize to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for female homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering help for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of thi