International LGBT Rights Round Up: Cuba, the UK, Bangladesh and More

Sounds almost like a ‘walks into a bar’ joke, eh? “Mariela Castro, a gay policeman and a judge from South Africa walk into a bar…” I’m not witty enough at this hour to come up with a good punchline for that. But what I can do is give you this week’s international LGBT rights round up. From Havana to Johannesburg, we’re checking out four continents on this week’s world tour.

South Africa: Nelson Mandela labeled him one of “South Africa’s new heroes,” and now Edwin Cameron can add another title to his belt: Constitutional Court Judge. Cameron, who is openly gay and HIV-positive, was named unanimously to fill the position of outgoing Judge Tholakele Madala, who retired at the end of 2008. The Constitutional Court of South Africa is the nation’s highest court, and Cameron will join 10 other members in serving on it. Cameron is also the author of the acclaimed book, “Witness to AIDS,” a memoir about his own struggle with the disease and the stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to treatment faced by many who live with HIV/AIDS.

Cuba: I think it’s safe to say that in a country not particularly well known for its pro-gay stance, Mariela Castro is a bit of a firecracker. She’s the daughter of current Prez Raul Castro, and the niece of former Prez Fidel. This week, Mariela Castro gave a wide-ranging interview to Russia Today, in which she championed some recent LGBT rights victories in Cuba – including the decision by the Cuban government to provide free health care to “transsexuals” who are undergoing surgery to change their gender identity. Mariela Castro also says that Cuba is moving toward recognizing some form of civil unions for same-sex couples, and is also moving toward passing a gender identity decree law that will make it easier for transgender people to officially change their gender status.

United Kingdom: When it comes to Britain’s top 100 employers for LGBT people, guess what ranks #2? The Hampshire Constabulary, the most LGBT-friendly public sector employer in the entire country. Seven years ago, the police force set up a resource within its offices to address the needs of LGBT employees, and foster relationships with local LGBT rights activists. Today, the office is a model example of how a police force can build bridges to LGBT communities. As openly lesbian Sgt. Kirsten Troman explained, "In the [time] I've worked for the constabulary, in both CID and uniform, I've never had any problems with anyone internally about my sexual orientation.”

Senegal: So the first downer news item of this roundup: Senegal has imprisoned nine men for eight years simply for being gay. The official charges? Get this: indecent conduct and unnatural acts and membership of a criminal organization. Apparently, identifying as gay or lesbian in Senegal lumps you into the mafia. Activists are stunned, including reps from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). “"We are in shock. This is the first case that I have heard of where someone is sentenced to eight years in jail for homosexuality,” said Joel Nana of the IGLHRC. The case is being appealed, but LGBT rights in Senegal are perhaps at an all-time low, after a brutal 2008 that saw anti-gay activists decry the participation of LGBT people in an HIV/AIDS conference, and a February 2008 crackdown on homosexuals that resulted in several arrests.

Bangladesh: Last but certainly not least on this week’s roundup is the historic vote that happened in Bangladesh last week, that allowed transgender citizens to vote legally for the first time in the country’s history. Bangladesh held national elections on December 29, and it was expected that nearly 100,000 transgender citizens would vote for the very first time. Transgender social worker Joya Shikder said, “We’ve always been overlooked in previous elections. It’s exciting to be given this recognition…”