The new trans-national politics of LGBT human rights in the Commonwealth: what can UK NGOs learn from the global South?

Waites, M. (2015) The new trans-national politics of LGBT human rights in the Commonwealth: what can UK NGOs learn from the global South? In: Stella, F., Taylor, Y., Reynolds, T. and Rogers, A. (eds.) Sexuality, Citizenship and Belonging: Trans-National and Intersectional Perspectives. Series: Routledge advances in critical diversities. Routledge: London, pp. 73-94. ISBN 9781138805040

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Abstract

How should struggles for decriminalisation, human rights and equality in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity be taken forward? The chapter discusses this issue in a context where the British Empire’s legal legacy of criminalisation persists in most Commonwealth states. The chapter examines contemporary relationships between activisms in Britain and in those states, in the context of colonialism, imperialism and sexual nationalisms. The new London-based transnational politics of decriminalisation is analysed, led by NGOs such as Kaleidoscope, Human Dignity Trust, Peter Tatchell Foundation and Stonewall - increasingly seeking influence through the Commonwealth. The chapter then compares findings from this analysis of UK-based NGOs to themes from the findings of previous cross-national comparative analysis of struggles in Commonwealth states, and hence argues that UK activists have much to learn from the Global South. For example, African activists have criticised moves to link LGBT human rights to British development aid. Caribbean activists emphasise that regional international strategising existed prior to London-based transnational legal interventions; and the Voices Against 377 coalition in India suggests much to learn about innovative formation of alliances among social movements. The chapter thus presents a critical analysis of the new London-based transnational politics of LGBT human rights.

Item Type:Book Sections (Other)
Keywords:LGBT, human rights, Commonwealth, transnational, organisations, global South.
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Waites, Dr Matthew
Authors: Waites, M.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe)
J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN101 Great Britain
J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
J Political Science > JZ International relations
K Law > KZ Law of Nations
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Research Group:Sociology
Publisher:Routledge
ISBN:9781138805040
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Routledge
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher
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