U.S. State Dept. report shows worldwide rise in LGBT discrimination

WASHINGTON, DC - "We are here to raise awareness of a crisis in abuse and discrimination that is being perpetuated against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community in many countries around the world," Michael Guest said at a March 18 news conference at the National Press Club.

"The range of abuse is simply shocking. It includes killings, police violence, unwarranted arrest, extortion, and a wide array of legal and other forms of societal discrimination that are being practiced in more than a hundred countries around the world."

These facts were made clear in 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, an annual report by the U.S. Department of State. The document runs more than 5, 000 pages and was released on March 11. LGBT issues were mentioned in 189 country reports, an increase from 142 the year before (the year before that it was 105). Still, LGBT issues are "treated almost as an asterisk, lumped in with other issues," he said.

"We need an understanding that the closet itself is a form of persecution. Saying to people you can go back and hide who you are is not an answer or refuge from being persecuted, it is a reinforcement of persecution," said Long.

Guest said the U.S. government needs to take a higher profile in standing up for human rights in general, and LGBT rights in particular. That is particularly true in countries that are friends and allies of the U.S. "It is time for the U.S. to regain its voice...Our embassies must become advocates for change."

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