By Amir Ashour and Rupert Abbott
With vaccines rolled-out and restrictions lifted in wealthier nations, many of us are looking forward to a more social summer. Pride events are set to take place throughout the U.S. and Western Europe. But as we celebrate, several countries are facing devastating new waves of COVID-19 in which LGBTQI people are suffering more than most. If ever there was a time to support our community worldwide – to mark Pride with Purpose – it is now.
In June, the UK is set to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions. And if things go to plan, by the end of July all adults will have been offered their first vaccination. After the year-and-a-half we have had, many of us are in the mood for celebrating.
From New York to London, Montreal to Madrid, Pride celebrations are taking place in one form or another. And Copenhagen will host World Pride, with a welcome emphasis on LGBTQI human rights.
As usual, major businesses will support their staff to take part, provide generous sponsorship, and turn their logos rainbow. This does represent progress – visible support for LGBTQI equality from some of the world’s biggest companies and brands.
But is this enough?
COVID-19 continues to ravage much of the world, including some of the poorest countries. For LGBTQI people, the pandemic and restrictions have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, with many struggling to access healthcare and emergency support, being scapegoated, and even facing serious human rights abuses.
In Uganda’s capital Kampala, police used COVID-19 directives to arrest 23 people living at an LGBTQI homeless shelter. In Hungary, emergency powers were used to rush through discriminatory legislation against transgender people. And in several countries, including Iraq, Israel, Liberia and the U.S., religious leaders have blamed LGBTQI people for the pandemic.
Across the world, LGBTQI activists and their organisations are defending their communities against these abuses and campaigning courageously for equality. But they are critically underfunded and need support – without it, they cannot do their vital work.
Some businesses already support LGBTQI organisations, especially in the West. They deserve credit for doing so – we need only look at the raft of anti-trans bills across the U.S. to know that there is still much room for progress on equality everywhere.
This Pride season is an opportunity for the LGBTQI community and business allies to support our community around the world, especially in those places where it is most difficult to be LGBTQI.
A new campaign, Pride With Purpose, by the international LGBTQI community foundation GiveOut and its partners is calling on businesses to do just that – to mark Pride by helping to resource the global struggle for LGBTQI equality.
The campaign is underpinned by a new report of the same name, to be launched in June, which provides guidance to help businesses play a more significant role in supporting LGBTQI activism.
Taking part in Pride events and flying the rainbow flag is a great way for businesses to celebrate progress and show solidarity with their LGBTQI staff and the wider community. But this in itself doesn’t help those around the world facing discrimination and violence on a daily basis.
For businesses that have made progress supporting LGBTQI equality at home, now is the moment to also consider their impact globally. This is the year to start marking Pride with Purpose, by providing meaningful support to the struggle for LGBTQI human rights and equality worldwide.
Amir Ashour is the founder and Executive Director of IraQueer, Iraq’s first LGBTQI organisation.
Rupert Abbott is the Executive Director of GiveOut, the award-winning international LGBTQI community foundation.
This article originally appeared in the May edition of Gay Times magazine.