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UK rows back on plans to promote gay rights at Commonwealth summit
Source: The Guardian
UK rows back on plans to promote gay rights at Commonwealth summit
Critics accuse government of ‘appeasing homophobes’ with vague promise over LGBT guide
Ben Quinn
Sat 14 Apr 2018 06.00 BST
Britain has been accused of “caving in” to pressure from the governments of Commonwealth states which criminalise homosexuality after doubts emerged over a planned UK effort to promote gay rights at the bloc’s upcoming summit in London.
A guide on international best practice on sexual orientation and gender identity had been due to be published by the Government Equalities Office on 16 April, the opening day of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm).
The summit “presents an opportunity to engage with Commonwealth member states and continue the UK’s special responsibility to advance equality across the Commonwealth for people with minority sexual orientations and gender identities,” according to details of a tender seeking a supplier for the guide.
However, as the summit approaches, the government has been unable to confirm whether or not the guide would be published in time, saying only that it would come out “in due course”.
The issue of LGBT rights remains a sensitive topic within the Commonwealth while some 37 of its 53 nations still outlaw homosexuality.
-snip-
Critics accuse government of ‘appeasing homophobes’ with vague promise over LGBT guide
Ben Quinn
Sat 14 Apr 2018 06.00 BST
Britain has been accused of “caving in” to pressure from the governments of Commonwealth states which criminalise homosexuality after doubts emerged over a planned UK effort to promote gay rights at the bloc’s upcoming summit in London.
A guide on international best practice on sexual orientation and gender identity had been due to be published by the Government Equalities Office on 16 April, the opening day of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm).
The summit “presents an opportunity to engage with Commonwealth member states and continue the UK’s special responsibility to advance equality across the Commonwealth for people with minority sexual orientations and gender identities,” according to details of a tender seeking a supplier for the guide.
However, as the summit approaches, the government has been unable to confirm whether or not the guide would be published in time, saying only that it would come out “in due course”.
The issue of LGBT rights remains a sensitive topic within the Commonwealth while some 37 of its 53 nations still outlaw homosexuality.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/14/uk-rows-back-on-plans-to-promote-gay-rights-at-commonwealth-summit
