World Communicate Anti-Homophobia on Telly Day?
Today marks World Anti-Homophobia Day and World Telecommunications Day. Couldn't somebody suggest in the global recession that we mash up the two and create: World Communicate Anti-Homophobia on Telly Day?
The issue is dire. Five countries still retain the death penalty for practicing homosexuality. ARTICLE 19 has written to the Human Rights Council this year to argue that anti-homophobia is partly a product of a lack of free expression.
The UN's watchdog, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that homophobia results in extra-judicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, sexual assault and rape, invasions of privacy, arbitrary detention, denial of employment and education opportunities and serious discrimination in relation to the enjoyment of other human rights.
We've also put together a guide to international standards on free expression and broadcasting. In our experience, many states and societies impose customary and legal restrictions on the expression of gender and sexual identity, particularly via television and radio.
Such restrictions are discriminatory. They are also often backed up by the threat or actual use of violence by state agents or non-state actors.
Self-censorship, including of one’s sexual or gender identity, is often the only mechanism of protection available.
So come on everyone, let's marry the two and call for a World Communicate Anti-Homophobia on Telly Day.
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