Gay Rights
The issue of marriage between people of same gender seems to have divided the world into two fierce groups (those who support and those who are against). Gay rights have become subject of hot debate in almost all nations of the world. Everyone has got a sexual orientation and a gender identity, and thus, discrimination against member of community based on sexual orientation or gender identity is an issue that affects everyone.
Sexual orientation involves sexual desires, practices, feeling and identification. Therefore, sexual orientation can be towards individuals of different or same sex (i.e. gay, lesbian, heterosexual or bisexual). Gender identity refers self expression based on social categories of femininity and masculinity. Individual’s subjectively felt gender identity may be different with their sex or physiological characteristics. This brings question, should gay right be accepted?
Amnesty International View
According to Amnesty International, all peoples irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation are entitled to human rights and should be given freedom to enjoy these rights. Even if the Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not clearly mention gender identity or sexual orientation, evolving conceptions of international human rights law incorporate a broad interpretation to include the rights and the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the globe.
The Principles of Yogyakarta on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation developed in 2006 by a group of LGBT activists in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in response to well-known abuse of human right, provides a general guide to applying international human rights law to violations faced by lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender individuals to make sure that the worldwide reach of human rights is protected.
Discrimination
Subjecting people to any kind of abuse due to their gender identity or sexual orientation is the highest level of discrimination someone can experience. However, globally, there remain various instances where gender identity or sexual orientation can lead someone to experience torture, execution, violence, imprisonment or discrimination. The range of abuse is limitless and breaches the fundamental doctrine of international human rights law.
In various nations, the refusal of the central governments to address aggression committed against LGBT people creates an impunity culture where such abuses can persist and escalate unmitigated. People imprisoned solely due to their homosexually or gender identity are considered to be captives of conscience. Amnesty International calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality where such legislation still remains. All such laws should be amended or repealed with immediate effect.