The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is observed on 17 May. The date was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) formal announcement on 17 May 1990, that homosexuality would be removed from the International Classification of Diseases. Up until then, homosexuality was classified as a “mental disability”. Fortunately, much has changed since then, but not everywhere. Some countries continue to penalise homosexuality as a “crime” with fines and prison sentences.
According to Cigale President Max Lamesch, the situation for the LGBTQIA+ community has gotten worse around the world during the pandemic, but not in Luxembourg - even if “not a lot happened” in the last two years. Lamesch emphasised the importance of continuing to educate people about LGBTQIA+ issues.
The Cigale President remarked that Luxembourg can be proud of what it has already accomplished thanks to many organisations, but also efforts on the local and national levels. Despite this, members of the LGBTQIA+ community “continue to face discrimination” in school, at work, and on the housing market.
Cigale continues to advocate for progress on the issue of a ‘Third Gender’ in passports. Lamesch expressed his regret that legislators “passed up the chance” to include this concept in the Grand Duchy’s new constitution.
Lamesch also criticised the tendency to construe every proposal by the LGBTQIA+ community as negative. For example, no one is calling for the “abolition of mum and dad,” the Cigale President explained. The goal is to allow different lifestyles to co-exist, Lamesch stated.
