LGBTQ+ Rights and Inclusion

LGBTQ+ Rights and Inclusion

Emily Smith

At first glance, geopolitics and LGBTQ+ rights might not seem to be obviously linked. But, right across the world, geopolitics has a huge influence over the basic human rights of this community. How a country positions itself on the global stage affects its policies – and in turn, its policies affect its global perception. Recently, LGBTQ+ rights have been at the forefront of society’s minds, re-shaping the world’s economy and geopolitics as a result. Many brands and corporations support the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, but the trend shows this is predominantly during Pride Month. The redesigning of global brand’s logos, products and packaging begs the question whether inclusion is truly accepted by brands, or used as a means to generate more income.

History of LGBTQ+ Rights

The LGBTQ+ communities of the United States and the United Kingdom have been fighting for equal rights for a long time, with the 1960s and ‘70s being a turbulent time for this community. Governments passed numerous laws restricting their rights, and riots began to take place, the most well documented of which is the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York. The Stonewall riots are commonly cited as the catalyst for modern LGBT political movements around the globe, but this was still not met with much positive political change. Only 19 years after the Stonewall riots, the British government introduced Section 28 of the Local Government Act, prohibiting local governments from promoting homosexuality. The last 30 years have seen many of these policies repealed and equal rights has been well on its way for the LGBTQ+ community.

Monumental political changes in favour of the LGBTQ+ community have been made in the past 50 years within Europe, with Denmark being the first country to formally recognise same-sex couples in 1989 and The Netherlands becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2000. The most recent political reforms surrounding LGBTQ+ rights are seen in Greece, with the Prime Minister trying to make up for ‘lost ground’ and ‘make Greece a better place for everyone’. In a move to leave traditional views in the past, a committee tasked with improving LGBTQ+ rights within Greece has been established and recently made two major policy reforms: banning conversion therapy for minors, and rejecting a proposed ban on gay men giving blood. These changes have been met with support by the majority of the country, showing that politics has the potential to bring communities together.

Rainbow-washing and the effects of Anti-LGBTQ+ laws on consumer Markets

International brand Budweiser, which distributes to over 70 countries, organised a Pride campaign which only ran within the UK. Many other brands including Primark, H&M and Levi’s, who have said that they are LGBTQ+ supporters, have been found to manufacture their LGBTQ+ ranges in countries where being gay is punishable by law. This depicts an image that brands like these, are happy to support manufacturers in countries with strict anti-LGBTQ+ policies, despite outwardly showing support.

Despite this contradiction, these Pride inclusive products are still attracting LGBTQ+ individuals who feel supported and validated by their favourite companies.This has also provided incentive for more brands around the world to move towards year-round Pride support. The positive effects from this pro-LGBTQ+ branding on consumer markets due to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, has led to a change in geopolitics as well. Research has shown that countries who have laws in place that exclude the LGBTQ+ community are losing out on millions a year in economic output due to their discrimination policies. Whether countries support or are against this community, it can no longer be argued that LGBTQ+ rights are insignificant when looking at the global economy.

The benefits of a global community that supports LGBTQ+ rights

Countries who support LGBTQ+ rights have been connected to forward thinking approaches which is beginning to filter into the public consciousness, sparking a change of policies. Western society is utilising LGBTQ+ rights to break down old ideals and establish a society that is more accepting, inclusive and advanced. Those who reject the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community do so as a means of protecting their policies of autonomy and independence from Western civilisations. This is also used as a political strategy by some countries where LGBTQ+ rights are not widely accepted. The use of ‘political homophobia’ has served as a powerful election tool within these countries for stirring up prejudice, passing anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and banning support for this community.

Areas of Eastern Europe and Africa are amongst those with the most restrictive policies against the LGBTQ+ community, with four African countries criminalising homosexuality by enforcing the death penalty. A further 33 African countries have made homosexuality illegal, passing a minimum sentence of 10-years imprisonment. However, a trend has been spotted among the countries who have been part of the Commonwealth and those who have homophobic legislature. This has led people to question whether the homophobia that is rife in Africa is as a result of being under British rule in the Commonwealth in the 19th and 20th centuries. Even after many African countries have gained independence, they continue to enforce anti-LGBTQ+ laws as a way to separate themselves from the ‘modern’ Western world. However, reform in Africa is happening slowly and steadily with several countries including South Africa and Mozambique decriminalising homosexuality recently.

The LGBTQ+ community has established a huge influence over geopolitics, whether countries are in support of their rights or not. Whether its anti-gay laws being passed in African countries or the United Nations deepening their engagement with the LGBTQ+ community, this has had a greater influence over global politics than many others can make a claim to.