Reality

Abstract

AbstractTo form the basis for the book’s analysis, this chapter describes the reality of violence and discrimination against sexual and gender minorities. Indeed, they still face significant violence and discrimination from State actors as well as from private individuals. While all sexual and gender minorities are often targeted because they violate assumptions about “appropriate” gender roles, in some respects lesbian and bisexual women are also affected differently than gay and bisexual men. Laws that criminalize sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex are particularly harmful for sexual and gender minorities. When they are enforced, sexual and gender minorities face corporal punishment, imprisonment, or even the death penalty. But even when they are not enforced, these laws have devastating effects on the lives of sexual and gender minorities, e.g., by creating a climate of impunity for crimes committed against them. Moreover, crimes against sexual and gender minorities are still regularly committed by the police, in prisons, in detentions centers, and in custody. Human rights defenders and activists concerned with the rights of sexual and gender minorities are also at particular risk. Furthermore, sexual and gender minorities are subjected to so-called “correction therapies”, sometimes in so-called “correction centers”, in order to forcibly change their sexual orientation. Finally, genital surgeries are performed on intersex children that can result in life-long negative consequences.KeywordsSexual and Gender MinoritiesViolence and discrimination against LGBTIAnti-SGM lawsPolice violenceHuman rights defenders and activistsGenital surgeries on intersex childrenCorrection centers and therapiesSexual orientationGender identity