In a release sent to RTC News by H.E Governor Todd highlighted the Annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Today, 17 May, is the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This is the day when the international community campaigns to stop discrimination, in all forms, against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Like many governments around the world, the UK Government is supporting this international day. The UK’s Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne and International Development Minister Stephen O’Brien have issued a joint statement celebrating this year’s world day, and supporting the international community effort to end this ‘hateful discrimination’. The United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay has also issued a video message calling for an end of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Equality for all, and equal treatment for all, is something that everyone should care about. For many of us the world is full of images and messages which affirm our rights: our legal rights and especially our everyday social rights to live our lives openly and without fear of reprisal. For the majority it is easy to enter into loving relationships and to celebrate our relationships with our family and friends.
This is not true for those people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. In many countries sexual orientation and gender identity are reasons to live a half-life, in secret: feeling or actually being unable to express who they are openly and confidently. Fear of persecution often means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are forced to be an invisible minority.
This can be especially true for those who grow up and live in small island communities like the Turks and Caicos Islands. For those who are not heterosexual, it takes real courage to tell family, friends, neighbours, and work colleagues that you are different, and to do so without fear of rejection. Discrimination by national legislation is unacceptable. Where discrimination of this type exists, responsible governments should reform. Indeed, they find themselves subject to mounting international pressure – including from the UK and USA – to do so urgently.
Statements and events around the world to mark this International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will underline the importance of the freedom to express who you are, to love who you want, and to be free to expect to do so without fear or discrimination. These are basic human rights that must be extended to all sections of our community without exception.
That is why the United Nations is taking this issue very seriously. Last year, the Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution, presented and led by South Africa, on the universality of human rights, and concern about acts of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The United Nations resolution has been followed by a report by the UN’s Human Rights Commissioner.
These are very significant steps. Countries around the world are reviewing their laws and social norms to consider what needs to be done to support this invisible minority. Some countries are already well down this road already, others are just beginning their journey. To that end, in 2010 the UK Government published a policy report on working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. This was followed by two action plans.
For the Turks and Caicos Islands the new 2011 Constitution is clear that no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either in itself or in its effect. The Constitution is specific that there should not be discrimination based on ‘sexual orientation, birth or other status’. That is why I am today announcing three initiatives:
- that there will be a review of TCI legislation to ensure that it is non-discriminatory on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;
- that the TCI Government will develop and introduce a ‘diversity policy’, as part of the ongoing reform of public sector human resources and staff management – this will set a standard for all managers and employees, and will be designed to ensure fair treatment for all staff and a zero tolerance for bullying; and,
- that the Government will launch a consultation on the age of consent in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a step towards ensuring that we take the right action needed to comply with both our legal obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights, and the incoming 2011 TCI Constitution.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to look at the website for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, at www.dayagainsthomophobia.org
DR Todd
Governor
