Forced Marriage to "Correct" Gay Men Increases

We often read about forced marriage of young girls and trafficking of brides, but can men be forced into marriage? They can, and they are in increasing numbers. A U.K.-based agency saw a significant increase in the reports of men being forced into marriage last year. And disturbingly, the trend seems to be tied to attempts to "correct" homosexuality.

The number of calls from men into a special forced marriage hotline in the U.K. increased by over 60% from 2008 to 2009. Men still comprise only about 14% of total forced marriage cases in the U.K., but the increase in men seeking help is noticeable and troubling. The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), which runs the hotline, claims that about 10,000 British citizens are victims of forced marriage each year. That means that at least 1400 young men are forced to marry against their will, although the FMU thinks the real number may be higher, due to under-reporting.

So why are so many men being forced into marriage, an injustice usually reserved for women and girls? Unfortunately, it's heavily tied in with sexual orientation. Almost half of male forced marriage victims who called the hotline indicated their sexual orientation (gay or bisexual) was a key reason they were being forced to marry. This is by no means the first time forced marriage has been used as a tool to attempt to change an individual's sexual orientation (with terrible results). In the U.K., boys as young as 15 have been forced into marriages because their families suspected they were gay. Young men who refuse to comply with their families wishes to marry have been subject to beatings, sexual violence, and forced removal from the country.

Forced marriage or "corrective rape" cannot change the orientation of gay or bisexual men any more than it can change the orientation of lesbian or bisexual women. And it's a significant human rights violation whether it happens to men or women. However, men may be even less likely to ask for help with forced marriages than women, especially if it involves issues of sexual orientation they may not feel comfortable discussing. The FMU in the U.K. is working to encourage more young men and boys to ask for help with forced marriages.

It's important to recognize that while women and girls may make up the majority of forced marriage victims, male victim-hood is very real as well, and targets gay and bisexual men. But regardless of sexual orientation or gender, no one should be forced into a marriage against their will.

Photo credit: lonesome:cycler