Standardize and universalize

The risks of demanding human rights for LGBT persons

Abstract

The call for the human rights of sexual minorities (or LGBT people), or rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity has risen to the United Nations agenda. The violence against LGBT people in the so-called Third World has been made visible by both governmental and non-governmental organizations of the wealthy west. Yet, this merits a critical view, as identities based on sexual orientation and gender are not universal –nor are human rights-. They are embedded in specific socio-political contexts. If we take identities and rights as natural and universal we will subjugate, if not eradicate, alternative expressions of sex, sexuality and affection.