When It Comes to LGBT Rights, Think Global

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state in the Union to legalize same-sex marriage. A few days later, on Friday, May 17, 2013, almost no one in the United States called attention to the fact that it was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO for short). In fact, no one even made mention that IDAHO was established in 2004 and is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world.

Our fight against homophobia and transphobia is not over in the United States. We still do not have federally recognized same-sex marriage in this country, nor do we have federally mandated non-discrimination against LGBT people. These things matter if you want to live as a free queer person in this country, if you would like to work and live in different parts of the United States to fulfill professional or personal ambitions. These things matter if your partner is not from the United States, as the government still is not giving green cards to people in binational same sex relationships. These things matter if you can't get the same tax breaks as everyone else, and if you can't get your partner's Social Security earnings once they pass away. It definitely matters if you have children.

Also, why is it the case that only one type of relationship will receive legal recognition? What is wrong with domestic partnership and civil unions, for heterosexual people or queer people? In fact, what is wrong with polyamory of any kind? In France, where same sex marriage was legalized the day after IDAHO, the government gives some rights and benefits to couples who choose to live together but not marry, as do most other European countries. In fact, the European Union is doing a better job in providing legal recognition of same-sex couples than the United States--only nine EU countries define marriage as between a man and a woman, as opposed to twenty nine US states against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage does not lead to increased acceptance of gays and lesbians. In between legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota and IDAHO, three major gay bashings took place--two in New York City, and one in London, where same-sex marriage was passed in the House of Commons and soon will go up for vote in the House of Lords. The victim of the London gay bashing incident was Christopher Bryant, the editor of Polari magazine.

More than ever, the United States must join with all the member nations of the United Nations committed to combatting homophobia and transphobia. Here is the new video from the UN Human Rights Office, stating some facts, and their support.