The Criminalization of Homosexuality Around the World

With recent court and legislative victories, the United States appears to be moving slowly forward in recognizing the rights of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Yet sadly, homosexuality continues to be criminalized throughout the world. Indeed, about 80 countries now criminalize homosexuality in one way or another, mostly in Africa and the Arab world. As a strategy of protest, a New York-based LGBT activist organization recently called for a boycott of goods, services, and travel to any country that criminalizes homosexuality. But are such boycotts an effective means to address the issue of homophobia while fostering change? Exactly what is the status of homosexuality around the world, and is there a role for the United Nations to play in decriminalizing same sex relationships? Long-time gay rights activist and former member of the Netherlands Parliment Boris Dittrich discusses the issues. Dittrich was one of the first openly gay members of parliament. He sponsored the bill allowing for civil marriage to same sex couples and the bill on adoption by gay couples, both of which passed in 2001. He has been named by the Dutch public as the most influential Dutch gay man. To date, three documentaries have been made about Dittrich. In 2006, he decided not to run for a 4th term in Parliment. Today, he works for Human Rights Watch on LGBT issues