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But despite this, men and women have still fallen prey to discrimination and violence which have on many accounts resulted in death on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is this very animosity of such community that has pushed them to hide in fear.
The United States has been taking several notable steps to rectify this situation. Acting under the political ideology of Classical Liberalism, the country emphasizes the principles of individual human rights and equality of opportunity and believes in the possibility of reaching a “peaceful world order” in the international system (Burchill, 2005) in contrast to that of violence and insecurity which is espoused in its rival ideology Realism[1]. Classical Liberalism expresses that society should be organized in accordance with certain unchangeable and inviolable human rights, especially the rights to life, liberty and property. It also holds that traditions do not carry any inherent value and that social practices ought to be continuously adjusted for the greater benefit of humanity.[2] It also believes in international cooperation, therefore giving importance to the existence of international organizations to advance common interests and objectives. Thus, the United States’ conviction regarding LGBT rights based on such ideology with the help of international organizations may mean that success is just around the corner.
The United States established an inter-governmental organization called the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (now known as OutRight Action International) in 1990 to addresses human rights violations against the LGBT community and people with HIV/AIDS. Their work involves submitting country reports to human rights treaty bodies in the UN system, intervening in human rights abuses cases, partnering and training with activists worldwide to further LGBTIQ advocacies and even lobbying to human rights organizations to focus on rights abuses to LGBTIQ people. This organization is accredited and holds consultative status with the United Nations. This means that the reports the organization presents to the United Nations are cited with the highest levels of authority, and these reports encourage the United Nations Human Rights Commission to instruct governments to take action.
This shows that even though the quest to achieve a world where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity no longer exists seems difficult and/or improbable, international organizations, particularly the United Nations really help. Cooperation is key. All the LGBT community has asked for is to be treated as humans, and why should they not be? As Charlie Chaplin once said, “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness”.
References:
(n.a.) (n.d.) Documentation. OutRight International Retrieved February 14, 2016 from https://www.outrightinternational.org/documentation
(n.a.) (n.d) Our Model For Change. Outright International. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from https://www.outrightinternational.org/how-we-work
(n.a.) (n.d.) Liberalism. International Relations. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from http://internationalrelations.org/liberalismpluralism/
[1] (n.a.) (n.d.) Liberalism. The Basics of Philosophy. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_liberalism.html
The United States has been taking several notable steps to rectify this situation. Acting under the political ideology of Classical Liberalism, the country emphasizes the principles of individual human rights and equality of opportunity and believes in the possibility of reaching a “peaceful world order” in the international system (Burchill, 2005) in contrast to that of violence and insecurity which is espoused in its rival ideology Realism[1]. Classical Liberalism expresses that society should be organized in accordance with certain unchangeable and inviolable human rights, especially the rights to life, liberty and property. It also holds that traditions do not carry any inherent value and that social practices ought to be continuously adjusted for the greater benefit of humanity.[2] It also believes in international cooperation, therefore giving importance to the existence of international organizations to advance common interests and objectives. Thus, the United States’ conviction regarding LGBT rights based on such ideology with the help of international organizations may mean that success is just around the corner.
The United States established an inter-governmental organization called the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (now known as OutRight Action International) in 1990 to addresses human rights violations against the LGBT community and people with HIV/AIDS. Their work involves submitting country reports to human rights treaty bodies in the UN system, intervening in human rights abuses cases, partnering and training with activists worldwide to further LGBTIQ advocacies and even lobbying to human rights organizations to focus on rights abuses to LGBTIQ people. This organization is accredited and holds consultative status with the United Nations. This means that the reports the organization presents to the United Nations are cited with the highest levels of authority, and these reports encourage the United Nations Human Rights Commission to instruct governments to take action.
This shows that even though the quest to achieve a world where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity no longer exists seems difficult and/or improbable, international organizations, particularly the United Nations really help. Cooperation is key. All the LGBT community has asked for is to be treated as humans, and why should they not be? As Charlie Chaplin once said, “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness”.
References:
(n.a.) (n.d.) Documentation. OutRight International Retrieved February 14, 2016 from https://www.outrightinternational.org/documentation
(n.a.) (n.d) Our Model For Change. Outright International. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from https://www.outrightinternational.org/how-we-work
(n.a.) (n.d.) Liberalism. International Relations. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from http://internationalrelations.org/liberalismpluralism/
[1] (n.a.) (n.d.) Liberalism. The Basics of Philosophy. Retrieved February 14, 2016 from http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_liberalism.html