The United States of America (USA) has issued a stern warning to Ghana and other countries which are promulgating legislations targeted at Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Queers (LGBTQ+) activities.
In a message marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, 2022, USA president, Joe Biden stated that the world most powerful country will not tolerate what he described as hateful legislative attacks against the LGBTQ+ community in America or anywhere in the world.
He insisted that homosexuality and other LGBTQ activities constitute human rights hence, must be defended across the globe.
“On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, make no mistake: Hateful legislative attacks against the LGBTQI+ community cannot be tolerated in America or anywhere else. We must continue to defend human rights and dignity, at home and around the world,” he stated.
While reaffirming the country’s commitment to “the ongoing work” of upholding human dignity for all and advancing equality globally, President Biden assured the LGBTQI+ community of America’s unrelenting support and solidarity.
“We stand in support and solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people in the United States and around the world. And we join with Americans across the country to reaffirm our commitment to the ongoing work of upholding human dignity for all people and advancing equality globally,” he assured.
Ghana is among many countries which are intolerant of LGBTQI+ activities and are putting in place legislations to outlaw such activities.
A Private Member’s Bill dubbed ‘the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021’, which is currently before Parliament, will criminalize activities related to the practice and promotion of LGBTQI with people who engage in or promote LGBTQI activities face up to 10-year jail term if it is passed into law.
It will also disband LGBTQI advocacy groups and proscribe sexual reassignment surgeries among others. But a section of the public including the international community kicked against the bill and the push to pass it into law.
Some foreign diplomats in the country notably the Australian High Commissioner are alleged to have threatened to impose travel ban on particularly sponsors of the bill over its introduction.
But the MPs, who are leading the charge for the passage of the bill, said they are unperturbed by such threats and will continue to push for its passage.
