- Conference
- 2023 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 20 July 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference has always taken an interest in the publication of the Rainbow Map and Index each year in May and in particular the ranking of the United Kingdom (UK). ILGA-Europe, the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IE) have produced the map and index since 2009, using it to illustrate the legal and policy situation of LGBT+ people in Europe. It ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBT+ people, from 0-100%. To create each country ranking, ILGA-Europe examines the laws and policies in 49 countries using 74 criteria, divided between seven thematic categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; hate crime and hate speech; legal gender recognition; intersex bodily integrity; civil society space; and asylum.
Conference notes that in 2013 the UK ranked top with a score of 77%. In 2014 the UK again ranked highest and increased its score to 82%. In 2020 the UK had slipped to joint fourth with a score of 66%. In 2021 we slipped further with 64%. However, the UK was still in the top ten.
Conference is deeply concerned that in 2022 IE reported.
“The United Kingdom has suffered a significant drop in ranking, going from 10th to 14th place, losing points as evidence was brought forward this year that the equality body is not, as set out in its mandate, effectively protecting on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. This comes at a time of widespread political and media anti-trans sentiment, while the British government is not moving on long-promised reforms on gender recognition and banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for all.”
However, IE’s 2023 Rainbow Map and Index saw the UK fall even further to 17th place with a score of just 53%. IE have recommended
• Adopting a fair, transparent legal framework for legal gender recognition across the UK based on a process of self-determination and free from abusive practices.
• Monitoring and reporting the experiences and outcomes of LGBT+ asylum seekers.
IE highlights that anti-trans rhetoric continued to cause serious damage in the UK again this year, with continued hostile reporting in mainstream newspapers. IE also highlighted the UK government’s plans to process asylum claims and set up reception centres in Rwanda, which LGBT+ asylum support groups highlighted could be a detrimental move for LGBT+ asylum seekers. This conference reaffirms its opposition to all deportations to Rwanda.
Conference considers this drop in the index to be unacceptable and completely avoidable.
Conference calls on the National LGBT+ Committee to continue to:
1)Work with and support the work of ILGA-Europe and promote the work to regional and branch LGBT+ groups
2. Work with the National Executive Council (NEC) and other parts of the Union as appropriate to oppose all deportations to Rwanda.
3. Work with the NEC and other parts of the Union as appropriate to highlight and oppose the continuing rise in hate speech especially against trans, non-binary and gender diverse people.