Tag: LGBTQIA+

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Politics and LGBTIQ+ people: how hate rhetoric becomes a campaign tool in Moldova

Post author By velyunsky
Post date October 4, 2024

In the run-up to the presidential elections in Moldova, society once again witnessed attempts by politicians to use hate rhetoric against the LGBTIQ+ community as a campaign tool. This time, former President Igor Dodon accused the non-governmental organization Genderdoc-M of filing a “criminal complaint” against him concerning his political statements. According to Dodon, this is related to his campaign promises to ban “LGBT propaganda” in schools and Chisinau.

On September 10, Igor Dodon published a message in which he claimed that Genderdoc-M accused him of inciting prejudice-based violence. The occasion was his statement on the inadmissibility of LGBTIQ+ propaganda in schools, which was part of his election promises. The former president said that his position expressed the opinion of the majority of teachers and parents, which made such statements acceptable in his political program.

However, as early as September 11, Angelica Frolova, administrative director of Genderdoc-M, responded to Dodon’s accusations, saying that all of the organization’s complaints against the former president had been filed long before this case. She noted that the statement referred to by Dodon does not refer to the current year and has not been documented by the organization recently. Thus, the conflicts between the NGO and Dodon refer to earlier complaints, which cast doubt on the relevance of the politician’s claims.

The politician is also actively using the LGBTIQ+ theme in his campaign rhetoric, claiming that after the presidential election, the government led by Maia Sandu intends to introduce quotas for the employment of LGBTIQ+ people in state institutions. These claims were made on his program “Live with Igor Dodon” on September 13, where he assured viewers that European partners were demanding that Moldova implement quotas for the LGBTIQ+ community.

However, these claims were quickly refuted by government spokesman Daniel Voda, who called Dodon’s words “false.” In his statement, Voda reminded us that political campaigns should be based on respect for citizens, not manipulation and misinformation. He also mentioned Dodon’s previous false claims about employment quotas for Syrians, foreigners, and other groups, which had no real basis.

Using the LGBTIQ+ theme as a tool to mobilize the electorate is not a new technique for politicians, especially those who appeal to conservative and homophobic sentiments in society. Political leaders often use such rhetoric to create an image of an “enemy” that allegedly threatens traditional values and national identity. In Moldova, where the topic of European integration is hotly debated, the issue of LGBTIQ+ rights often becomes a reason to divide society into “pro-European” and “pro-conservative” citizens.

It should be noted that the presidential election to be held on October 20 will be an important stage for Moldova’s future. Although Igor Dodon is not running, his party, the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), supports the candidacy of former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo. In turn, Maia Sandu, the incumbent president and leader of the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), will compete for the post again.

In an electoral race, the use of hate speech against the LGBTIQ+ community can be a serious challenge for a society striving for European integration and the building of a tolerant democratic state. Divisions in society based on prejudice and fear of imaginary threats can undermine trust in democratic processes and slow down the country’s path toward European human rights standards.

The example of Igor Dodon shows how hate rhetoric and manipulation can become a powerful tool in electoral struggles, especially against vulnerable groups such as the LGBTIQ+ community. It is important to remember that such discourse not only misinforms society but can also reinforce discrimination and violence. Society and political leaders must recognize the dangers of such rhetoric and strive for an open and constructive dialogue aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their identity or orientation.

United for equality: IDAHOBIT and the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Post author By velyunsky
Post date May 17, 2024

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed annually on May 17. This day serves to coordinate global efforts to raise awareness about the ongoing violations of LGBTQIA+ rights and to promote actions aimed at their protection. The date commemorates the removal of homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990. And since 2004, IDAHOBIT has been a crucial platform for highlighting the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals globally.

This year’s theme, “No one left behind: equality, freedom, and justice for all”, calls for unity and solidarity, especially in the face of rising anti-democratic and anti-rights movements. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to endure violence, stigma, and discrimination worldwide. Sixty-two UN member states criminalize consensual same-sex relations, either through laws or practices. At least 59 countries impose restrictions on freedom of expression related to sexual and gender diversity issues, with an alarming increase in such provisions over the past two years. While hate crime laws based on sexual orientation exist in 59 UN member states, only 38 protect against hate crimes based on gender identity, 9 on gender expression, and 5 on sex characteristics.

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, LGBTQIA+ rights remain precarious. In 2023 alone, national REActors documented 1109 appeals from representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community in the region. The most common violations of the rights are discrimination, insults, harassment, threats, and, alas, often even assaults. In 2024 already in Armenia, the case was registered when the client met a man on Telegram from an LGBTIQ dating group and agreed to meet him, but the man drove off with the client’s belongings. The next day, he reported the incident to the police but faced harassment about his positive HIV status and military service, authorities’ representatives pressured him to reveal his meeting’s true nature. Only with the REActor’s support, the client was eventually released, and a preliminary investigation was initiated based on his complaint.

Many countries maintain laws that criminalize same-sex relations, and societal attitudes are often deeply conservative, leading to widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals. In some nations, LGBTQIA+ activism is met with significant resistance, and legal protections are minimal or nonexistent. Governments in this region have been slow to adopt reforms, and in some cases, have actively curtailed LGBTQIA+ rights. For instance, russia’s “gay propaganda” law, enacted in 2013, prohibits the distribution of information about LGBTQIA+ issues to minors, effectively silencing advocacy and increasing stigma. And in 2023 russia’s government unanimously supported new legislation to further restrict freedom of expression regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. It prohibits sharing positive and even neutral information about LGBTQIA+ people with hefty fines for noncompliance. In 2023, the President of Kyrgyzstan signed a law prohibiting the dissemination in the country of information that may be harmful to children. The document states that such information is defined as that which “denies family and traditional social values, promotes non-traditional sexual relations and forms disrespect for parents or other family members. A worrying situation has emerged in Georgia: the ruling party has proposed changes to the constitution that would restrict LGBTQIA+ rights. These measures could jeopardize the country’s accession to the EU. If the constitutional amendments are adopted, any LGBTQIA+ related gatherings will become illegal. The legislative initiative would also ban same-sex marriage, sex reassignment and adoption of children by same-sex couples.

Nevertheless, there have been positive strides. According to the Rating Sociological Group, in Ukraine, as of 2023, the level of tolerance in society during the war has increased: positive and neutral attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community have increased from 53% to 64%. A petition in support of registered partnerships for same-sex and different-sex couples in support of draft law No. 9103 “On the Institute of Registered Partnerships” as of April 26, 2023, has collected the required 25 thousand votes. Now it is up to President Zelenskyy to consider it.

Worldwide, 16 UN member states have implemented national bans on so-called «conversion therapies», and 9 have nationwide restrictions on unnecessary interventions for intersex youth. Seventeen UN member states recognize legal gender changes based on self-determination, and 35 have legalized marriage equality.

In light of these challenges, this year’s IDAHOBIT theme underscores the importance of solidarity in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. The push for equality, freedom, and justice is fundamental to building a democratic society where everyone is valued, respected, and is not left behind.

A story of harassment and humiliation in Armenia

Post author By velyunsky
Post date April 29, 2024

Earlier this year, sex worker Agasi (name changed) was walking at night in a park in his city and texting on the phone with a client they were supposed to meet there at 1 a.m. Two civilians approached him, identifying themselves as police officers. They showed him their identification cards, but Agasi insisted that they open the documents so that he could verify their authenticity. After checking, the police officers asked him if he had any prohibited items and what he was doing in the park at night.

Agasi replied that he did not have anything prohibited and explained that he was just walking as the park was close to his house. The police officers ordered him to show his pockets and bag. Agasi was very scared as he was under the influence of psychoactive substances, but fortunately, he did not have anything prohibited with him. After making sure he had nothing on him, the police ordered him to show his phone and open the last app he had used.

Agasi asked why they needed to do this, and the officers said that there were a lot of “drug addicts” in the park and that they had a suspicion that Agasi was one of them because he was wearing a hoodie and carrying a barrette bag at night in the park. Agasi showed the Telegram app where he had recently corresponded with his client. The police officers read all the messages. Agasi was embarrassed but could not do anything at that moment. The police then ordered Agasi to leave the park mockingly and told him that it was better to walk outside the city, as “people like him” gathered there.

This case vividly illustrates the forms of discrimination faced by sex workers and members of the LGBTIQ+ community. Harassment, humiliation, and unfounded suspicion by law enforcement agencies are just some of the challenges they face daily, which further emphasizes the need to protect the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their occupation.

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