Global campaign to decriminalise homosexuality to kick off in Belize court

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/16/global-campaign-decriminalise-homosexuality-belize-court


Gay rights lawyer Alice Nkom is campaigning to decriminalise homosexuality in Cameroon, which is one of 46 Commonwealth states to still outlaw same-sex relations. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian

A new British legal rights group will this week kick off a global campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in scores of countries across the world when it embarks on a first test case in the courts of Belize.

The Human Dignity Trust (HDT), which launched its campaign in London on Thursday, is targeting the 80-odd states where consensual sexual activity between adults of the same gender is outlawed. More than half are Commonwealth countries which inherited their regulations from British colonial rule. In some like Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon and Ghana the laws are seen by some as justification for violent attacks on gay and lesbian people.

Lord Goldsmith, the former attorney general, will be among the team of lawyers fighting to overturn section 53 of Belize's criminal code, which enacts that: "Every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years."

The hearing, scheduled to begin on 5 December, has been brought by the gay Belizean activist Caleb Orozco. It is shaping up to be a constitutional legal clash with international political dimensions.

[William769]

1. A big recommendation!

Speaking of Commonwealth States, Uganda is having a problem with HIV/AIDS & take a wild guess who their Government is blaming for it.

[xchrom]

2. uganda is a hot, dagerous mess when it comes to us. nt

[xchrom]

3. Cameroon gay rights lawyer warns of rise in homophobia

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/16/cameroon-gay-rights-laywer-alice-khom

Alice Nkom is a Cameroonian lawyer with an imposing presence, but her country's minister of justice is less impressed; he wants her struck off the professional register. Advocates in Cameroon have said she should be killed.

Defending men or women accused of homosexuality, is not a popular cause in central Africa. Threats arrive by email and telephone. The situation, Nkom warns, is becoming more dangerous.

The Cameroon government has introduced a bill to the national assembly that would give formal, political backing to section 347 of the country's penal code that criminalises consensual sex between adults of the same gender.

"It's getting worse," Nkom told the Guardian during a visit to London. "These laws are illegal – the declaration of human rights is part of our constitution – but the judges still apply them. It's very difficult to prove you have had sex. Under the procedural code you cannot be put in jail unless caught in delecto flagrante.

[William769]

4. As an example lets just use African Countries.

I hope there is not one person on DU that can honestly say that Homosexuality is a choice. Who in their right mind would go through this shit because of a choice, which brings me to this since we know it's not a choice, whats with all the bashing be it outright or passive/aggressive? Could it be a inferiority complex? Bullying (for your own simplistic narrow minded views)? or just the need to feel Superior in your own mind (because I can guarantee you it would only be in your mind).

[RKP5637]

5. Texas, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma: states hold onto laws defining gay ‘conduct’ illegal

We could use help in the US too.

"“Homosexual conduct” is still a crime in Texas — and at least three other states — eight years after the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lawrence v. Texas, which struck down the state’s sodomy law, and invalidated similar laws across the country.

And yet lawmakers in Texas, Kansas and Montana, have either failed, or face opposition, in removing the unconstitutional laws from their state’s criminal code."

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/03/texas-kansas-montana-oklahoma-states-hold-onto-laws-defining-gay-conduct-illegal/

[xchrom]

6. missing from the whole lgbtiq conversation w/ liberals & progressives

is the myriad ways lgbtiq people are oppressed in this country -- from jobs, housing & partner benefits to name a few -- and all legal.

we are too frequently seen as white, middle class, frivolous & male by other liberals & progressives -- so no oppression there.