LGBTQI+ - A Mixed Reality Globally Positive, humane and real representations of LGBTQI+ persons are increasingly portrayed in film, television and other media. Dozens of annual film festivals are devoted to LGBTQI+ issues and concerns, and powerful voices have emerged as members of the community and allies among well-known personalities in all realms of cultural life, including the ubiquitous images provided by entertainment and social media.22 However, this is not the reality in most countries. Discrimination and violations of LGBTQI+ persons' cultural and human rights are prevalent. But is it ever legal to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people? The answer is no. The right to equality and non-discrimination are core principles of human rights, enshrined in the United Nations Charter, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and human rights treaties. The opening words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are unequivocal: “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” In recent years, several UN organizations, as well as many CSOs, have paid much attention to violations of LGBTQI+ rights. In spite of international law, several countries continue to harass, persecute and even kill citizens who do not identify themselves as “traditional men or women.” The United Nations’ global campaign against homophobia and transphobia23 has published several documents and initiated many campaigns for the rights of LGBTQI+ people. The documents include all references to international laws. As an example: “The equality and non-discrimination guarantee provided by international human rights law applies to all people, regardless of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or ‘other status.’(...) this means that it is unlawful to make any distinction of people’s rights based on the fact that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), just as it is unlawful to do so based on skin color, race, sex, religion or any other status.”24 But as with all human rights, many countries violate these rights irrespective of if they have ratified the international conventions. In Russia: Code of Administrative Offenses, Article 6.21: “Propaganda” is the act of disseminating information to minors aiming to create non-traditional sexual attitudes, make non-traditional sexual relations attractive, equate the social value of traditional and nontraditional sexual relations or cause an interest in those actions. In USA, Alabama Code, Title 16. Education § 16-40A-2, C (8): Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include… an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state. Source: Freemuse.org 22 23 24 https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/220/72/PDF/N1922072.pdf?OpenElement https://www.unfe.org https://www.unfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Equality-And-Non-Discrimination-English.pdf 25