A global survey on the attitudes of the general population towards the LGBT community was released this Tuesday, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
+Worldwide research shows reduction in homophobic laws and inclusion of LGBT people
+Worldwide research shows reduction in homophobic laws and inclusion of LGBT people
According to the study, 68% of more than 96 respondents said they would be uncomfortable if they had a gay son or a lesbian daughter.
The research is the work of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga). The organization claims that this is the largest study ever carried out on the subject: 96.331 people, from 65 countries, responded to a 31-question online questionnaire.
More people answered the questionnaire, but, to have a minimum reliable universe, only data from countries where more than 700 people answered the questions were included. 53 countries were then counted, nine in Africa, 15 in Asia, 15 in the Americas, 12 in Europe and two in Oceania.
Among those surveyed, 67% argue that human rights should be universal, regardless of gender or sexual preference. There are 62% in Africa, 63% in Asia, 69% in the Americas, 71% in Europe and 73% in Oceania.
However, the number is lower when the subject at hand is approached specifically: Only 53% of people think that being gay should not be considered a crime, while 25% think it should. The rest were unable to respond.
65% of participants say they would have no problem with a gay, lesbian or bisexual neighbor. However, 32% of the world's population believe that same-sex desire is a “Western phenomenon”, a thought propagated by conservatives and religious extremists in many countries, even in the West.
State homophobia
The work has a sister study, on state-sponsored homophobia around the world. In the last decade, when the report began to be written, the situation changed: in 2006, 92 states criminalized homosexuality. In 2016, there are 75.
There are currently 13 UN member states where being gay can be punishable by death. In eight of these, the measure is used, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Somalia. Another 14 punish with 15 years in prison to life in prison. Another 17 have laws that prohibit the “promotion of homosexual culture”, and the number in this case is rising, says the NGO.
On the other hand, 70 countries have legal protections against employment discrimination, 22 recognize same-sex marriage and another 24 guarantee some form of civil partnership. An additional 26 states have adoption laws for same-sex couples.
