We are living through a moment of striking contradiction: while LGBTQI+ visibility has arguably never been higher, the reality on the ground for countless LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide grows increasingly perilous. Headlines celebrating progress coexist with devastating stories of persecution, violence, and systemic discrimination. If anyone had began to believe that the fight for equality had mostly been won they were not living as the most marginalized, their reality would have been akin to the larger portion of LGBTQI+ identities across the globe.
The tide of anti-LGBTQI+ sentiment is rising with alarming intensity across the world. In 2024 Uganda upheld legislation which severely criminalizes LGBTQI+ identities and relationships, prompting global outcry but little tangible action. Russia continues its aggressive policies targeting LGBTQI+ individuals, further institutionalizing hate and discrimination. In Jamaica, where I was born, entrenched anti-LGBTQI+ ideology fuels persistent threats of violence and ostracization. Similarly, numerous Middle Eastern and African countries enforce laws that brutally punish or even threaten death for individuals based solely on whom they love or their authentic identities.
Behind each headline, there are countless lives disrupted, displaced, or ended simply for existing authentically. This reality demands our urgent attention and swift action.
While some might have once seen the United States as a haven for LGBTQI+ rights, recent legislative developments indicate otherwise. Across multiple states, legislation restricting gender-affirming healthcare, censoring discussions of LGBTQI+ identities in schools, and promoting hateful rhetoric has become increasingly commonplace. These measures not only put LGBTQI+ youth and adults at immediate risk but also erode America’s moral standing as an advocate for global human rights.
The rise of anti-LGBTQI+ policies within the U.S. parallels alarming international trends, underscoring the unsettling truth that no nation, however progressive it appears, can afford complacency. The battle for human rights is not won once and for all—it requires ongoing vigilance and courage.
Persecution rarely occurs in isolation. Instead, it intersects with other identities, compounding vulnerabilities. As a queer, Black immigrant from Jamaica, I know firsthand that navigating identity can mean navigating risk—multiplied by race, immigration status, socioeconomic background, and more. Intersectionality reveals the deeper layers of marginalization, emphasizing why advocacy efforts must be comprehensive, inclusive, and global in their scope.
This global crisis demands immediate, collective action:
- We must amplify advocacy efforts, pressuring governments to uphold and expand protections for LGBTQI+ communities.
- We must actively support organizations and initiatives dedicated to creating safe pathways for those at risk.
- We must reject complacency, understanding that silence or inaction implicitly condones continued persecution and violence.
Every community, business, government, and individual has a role to play in building safer, more inclusive societies. By taking intentional, decisive actions, we can offer tangible paths to safety, dignity, and freedom.
Our shared humanity obligates us to reject indifference and commit decisively to action. The encroaching crisis facing LGBTQI+ communities around the globe is urgent and undeniable, but it is not inescapable. Through solidarity, advocacy, and unyielding resolve, we can—and must—ensure a world where safety and dignity are not privileges, but rights guaranteed to all.
Densil Porteous, is a seasoned leader and advocate for humanity. With a multifaceted background in entrepreneurship, higher education administration, strategic marketing, development/fundraising, venture, and social impact, Porteous offers a unique perspective on a variety of topics and he shares insights on his blog, “Think Higher. Feel Deeper. – Destination: Unknown”.
