Today on this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights is launching a new project to support global progress on LGBT+ rights: the Parliamentary Liaison Scheme. By connecting UK Parliamentarians with jurisdictions that criminalise or oppress LGBT+ people and enabling them to work in partnership with fellow parliamentarians, activists, diplomats and multilateral organisations, the project hopes to be a force in delivering equality for LGBT+ people, wherever they live in the world. With over 85 MPs and Peers already signed up – representing almost 10% of all MPs - this marks the largest LGBT+ project ever undertaken in the UK Parliament.
MPs and Peers who take part are allocated a country or jurisdiction and will receive briefings and updates on the situation for the LGBT+ people in that country during the course of this parliamentary term. This will equip Parliamentarians with first-hand knowledge of the lives and challenges faced by the LGBT+ community in their allocated country and, crucially, work collaboratively with parliamentary colleagues across the world to improve LGBT+ rights and lives of millions in these jurisdictions who still today face oppression and criminalisation for simply being who they are. The Parliamentary Liaison Scheme will also be supporting the brave human rights activists making the case for equality where their lives, liberty and livelihoods are on the line.
Chair of the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights, Crispin Blunt MP said:
“This project has the potential to make a very big difference to millions of people worldwide and will demonstrate the seriousness and willingness of Parliamentarians to make a difference, as well as the UK’s commitment to engage on this issue. We have the so-called gayest Parliament in the world - we must make it a force for good.”
Deputy-Chair of the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights Baroness Barker said:
“It is still the case that in 2021, 71 jurisdictions criminalise private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity, and 43 jurisdictions criminalising this specifically between women. 15 jurisdictions criminalise gender identity. There are still 11 jurisdictions in which the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility. Until all LGBT+ people around the world can be themselves without fear, projects like the Parliamentary Liaison Scheme are invaluable and I encourage my parliamentary colleagues to take part.”
Depute Chair of the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights, John Nicolson MP said:
“I’m proud that Scotland is, by many measures, the best country in Europe in which to live as a gay person. It’s not so easy elsewhere in the world. Though we have made great strides towards equality at home in recent decades, the love and identities of our LGBT+ siblings remain criminalised or stigmatised in dozens of countries worldwide. It is incumbent on those in power to do all we can to highlight homophobia, biphobia and transphobia worldwide and this initiative of parliamentary diplomacy will help to build bridges with LGBT+ people across the globe and will, I hope, better the lives of those living under the shadow of bigotry, violence and oppression.”