LGBTQ people in wealthy nations deserve to know how the other half suffers

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

Give people an opportunity to help distant LGBTQ victims of homophobic cultures.

I wrote this appeal at the request of a gay friend in Canada who was concerned that his LGBTQ community was focusing on making “a purely political statement as a cause celeb for its political correctness” without paying attention to “the humanitarian crisis affecting queer people in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, Syria, Uganda, etc.”

At Amsterdam's Pride Walk in 2017, protesters wore "Erasing 76 Crimes" T-shirts and carried the flags of the then 73 countries with anti-homosexuality laws that the protesters wanted repealed. (Photo courtesy of Pride Walk) — At Amsterdam’s Pride Walk in 2017, protesters wore “Erasing 76 Crimes” T-shirts and carried the flags of the then 73 countries with anti-homosexuality laws that the protesters wanted repealed. (Photo courtesy of Pride Walk)

COMMENTARY

LGBTQ activists in wealthy nations have a moral obligation to provide financial and emotional support for people fighting for LGBTQ rights in impoverished nations, especially in the 64+ jurisdictions with anti-homosexuality laws. There is no shortage of opportunities for helping the battle against anti-LGBTQ discrimination, hatred, violence, extortion, and expulsion from homophobic families and churches.

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For example:

Human rights activists in Uganda are challenging last year’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Law, which outlaws LGBTQ advocacy and allows LGBTQ people to be executed for repeatedly engaging in consensual sex. Those activists deserve support.
Human rights activists in Ghana are challenging that nation’s pending anti-LGBTQI+ bill, which would make it a crime to “identify as” a homosexual. They deserve support.
In dozens of homophobic nations, LGBTQ advocacy groups provide medical and social support for their embattled LGBTQ communities. They all deserve support.
In Cameroon and Nigeria, Project Not Alone raises funds to set free innocent imprisoned victims of homophobia. In the past six years, the project has freed 44 LGBTQ people who were imprisoned for the “crime” of homosexuality. That project, which is run by the advocacy journalists of the St. Paul’s Foundation, deserves support.

LGBTQ people in rich countries deserve to know how the other half suffers and be given the opportunity to help.