Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

Tag: homophobia

  • The 2015 Human Rights Report – Is the Pacific a Tropical Paradise? Not if you are LGBT

    By Paula Gerber This piece is featured in the 2015 Castan Centre Human Rights Report. We will be featuring the articles on the blog throughout the month of May.  Most of us know that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people face dire threats in countries like Russia, Uganda, Nigeria and Iran.  The media is filled with…

  • Homophobia is alive and well in the world of cricket

    By Paula Gerber At World Cup cricket match on in Sydney on 8 March, between Sri Lanka and Australia, a Sri Lankan supporter waved a sign branding Australian cricketer Glen Maxwell a “fag”, in Sinhalese. The fan’s homophobic slur was certainly shocking, but even worse was the lack of any reaction in the mainstream media. Only…

  • Commonwealth Games: is it time to stop playing?

    By Paula Gerber Barely six months ago, international anger and calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Russia drew nearly as much news coverage as the games’ sporting achievements. And as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow get under way, it is worth remembering that although Scotland has nothing to match Russia’s gay propaganda laws, the…

  • Ian Thorpe came out, but not in Australia – a wise decision

    By Paula Gerber Few who watched Ian Thorpe’s “coming out” interview with British interviewer Michael Parkinson on Sunday night could have  failed to be moved by his story. The anxiety and turmoil he felt in telling the world he is gay was apparent for all to see. Thorpe told Parky: I’m ashamed I didn’t come…

  • IDAHO Day Post: Why the Pacific islands are no gay paradise

    The world celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May.  To mark the day, Paula Gerber reflects on the ongoing criminalisation of homosexual conduct in the Pacific.  The United Nations recently invited people to imagine what it would be like if you were not free to be you. If the only…

  • 2014 Castan Human Rights Report: LGBTI rights around the world, A rollercoaster ride!

    By Paula Gerber In 2014, one can barely read the news without coming across a story about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. These stories range from celebrations that yet another jurisdiction has legalised marriage for same-sex couples, to despair at the violence, discrimination and persecution inflicted on individuals because of their sexual…

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