How can society promote equality and respect for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh?

Shahanur Islam

As a society, we often tout our commitment to human rights and equality for all, but the reality for members of the LGBTQI+ community in our country is far from ideal. Discrimination and violence based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity remain prevalent, and progress toward greater acceptance and inclusion has been slow.

Violence against the LGBT community is a prevalent and widespread phenomenon in Bangladesh. It takes many forms, including murder, physical assault, threats, death threats, rape, sexual abuse, extortion, bullying, social stigma, discrimination, deprivation, physical and psychological abuse. Unfortunately, most incidents go unreported due to stigma and intolerance from families, society, and the state, as well as existing discriminatory laws that criminalize same-sex activities and impose sentences of up to life imprisonment.

In Bangladesh same-sex sexual conduct is still considered illegal under our penal code, despite the fact that the government does not actively enforce the law. This sends a message that LGBTQI+ individuals are not welcome or accepted, and often serves as a pretext for police harassment and civil liberties restrictions.

In addition, LGBTQI+ individuals frequently encounter discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and access to government services, including healthcare and justice. Mental health care providers have been known to use language that shames LGBTQI+ individuals, while HIV testing and treatment continue to be stigmatized.

Transgender individuals, in particular, face unique challenges. Some may identify as hijra, seeking social protection or an affinity for the subculture, while others assert their transgender identities and reject the hijra label. Transgender men, however, often receive little support or tolerance, especially in poorer and more rural areas.

Conversion therapy, the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, is still widespread. Lesbian and gay individuals may be sent to drug rehabilitation facilities, forced to wear traditional clothing, and recite religious texts. The government has yet to condemn these practices, and LGBTQI+ organizations face major obstacles in registering as formal NGOs.

We must do better as a society. Concrete steps must be taken to promote equality and respect for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. It is time to put an end to discrimination, violence, and harassment against the LGBTQI+ community and ensure that they have the same access to justice, healthcare, and other services as everyone else.

Legal gender recognition must be made available for all individuals, and conversion therapy practices must be prohibited. Organizations working on LGBTQI+ issues should be able to register freely and receive funding. Furthermore, we must work to address the severe social stigma surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity in our country, promoting open discussion and greater understanding.

In conclusion, we must work together to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community. It is only by promoting equality and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, that we can truly move toward a more just and equitable society.

***Advocate Shahanur Islam is a lawyer and human rights defender based in Paris. He has been awarded the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders in France for the year 2023. You can contact him through email at saikotbihr@gmail.com or via Whatsup at +8801720308080. More information about his work can be found at www.shahanur.blogspot.com

============================================================ Advocate Shahanur Islam | An Young, Ascendant, Dedicated Human Rights Defender, Lawyer and Blogger in Bangladesh, Fighting for Ensuring Human Rights, Rule of Law, Good Governance, Peace and Social Justice For the Victim of Torture, Extra Judicial Killing, Force Disappearance, Trafficking in Persons including Ethnic, Religious, Sexual and Social Minority People.