Empowering Equality: The Essential Foundations for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Throughout June 2025, in celebration of Pride month, Gayther is running its Straight Talk campaign. Weekly media releases designed to highlight key aspects taking place around the world today. This release focuses on equality and the bare minimum.

In terms of the modern LGBTQIA+ movement, what has been going on recently? Since 2024, two countries, Namibia and Dominica, have decriminalised same-sex relationships by removing antiquated laws. In the same period, the same number of countries (Mali and Iraq) reintroduced or doubled down on persecuting, particularly LGBT people, by criminalising or increasing the penalty they face when prosecuted.

Of the 67 countries, or 28.8% of those around the world, that still have these antiquated laws in place, just 15 (22.4%) claim not to enforce prosecutions; however, current developments show that the risk still exists with this approach. The Caribbean country Trinidad and Tobago, which previously looked to repeal its laws criminalising same-sex relationships, is now doing a complete u-turn and is not only allowing the laws to remain but, after a court of appeal ruling, is also now beginning to enforce prosecutions. Non-enforcement is not the answer; the only acceptable solution is decriminalisation, as not removing the law does not mean a country may not decide one day to start prosecuting again without having to introduce new rules.

"Recent developments show how temporary the hard-fought rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community can be around the world unless something changes," says Peter Williams, co-founder of Gayther.

A change in government, ruling party, or statement from a religious leader should not undo the fundamental human rights of people purely based on who they are attracted to, love or how they choose to identify. Even with many faith leaders and theologians of religions, including more mainstream faiths, softening their stance, political agendas are still seeking to persecute.

At a bare minimum, it is not about acceptance or integration but the law and the fact that people have the right to exist and to be free without fear of persecution or harm.

Countries that are, on the one hand, guaranteeing the safety and well-being of overseas LGBTQIA+ travellers and, at the same time, persecuting and punishing their local community is simply wrong. The destinations may be stunning, and the messaging might be positive, but the intentions and treatment of the community are dark and contradictory.

The LGBTQIA+ dollar, or the community's contribution to the global economy, is vast and estimated to be $1.6 trillion in 2025, with at least ten openly LGBTQIA+ billionaires worldwide. All offer an opportunity and a substantial market that should reward countries that do the bare minimum rather than ignoring or prop up ruling parties that disregard basic human rights.

"The theological arguments and debates have long been played out, and in 2025, no country should still be persecuting a person simply based on who they are attracted to, who they love, or how they choose to identify no more than someone should not be targeted based on their religious beliefs."

With an estimated 62.3 million people, or 28.7% of the LGBTQIA+ population, at risk of persecution, 13.2 million people possibly facing a death sentence if prosecuted, and 67 countries still criminalising same-sex relationships, is it not time we say to countries all around the world to do the bare minimum? Not only that, but those rights also become protected under a UN resolution or protocol, which participating countries sign up to and agree to abide by, making it more challenging to remove based on changing political landscapes.

The events of the last year demonstrate that countries can utilise relationships with allies and partners for both good and bad, leveraging them to effect positive change. Though all of the human rights, such as the right to marry, work, and get an education, are important, no one in 2025 should live in fear because of who they are and who they love, and this would likely see a reduction around the world of those seeking asylum based on persecution due to their sexuality or gender identity.

Only if it is safe to do so and you are not putting your life or freedom at risk, post on social media, reach out to your representatives, and hold people in power to account. Every person killed or in prison due to their sexuality or how they chose to identify is a human rights violation and genocide, and any country found guilty should be prosecuted in international courts.

SOURCE
• 2025 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index (https://gayther.lgbt/community/equality-index/)
• 2025 Gayther Population Index (https://gayther.lgbt/community/lgbtq-population/).
• 2025 Gayther Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Dollar Index (https://gayther.lgbt/community/lgbtq-dollar/)

Gayther, part of Ovester
124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX United Kingdom
Email: press@ovester.om
https://gayther.com/media/gayther-pressroom/

Gayther LGBT is one of the largest online resources of LGBTQIA+ information. Tools and guides designed to be fun and easy to use, all within a platform offering positive content intended to inform, showcase and connect the global community and its allies. Home to a wide range of free services, including hundreds of detailed LGBTQIA+ travel guides, fun and games, articles and a dedicated social network known as Gayther Affinity.

This release was published on openPR.