Love is a right, not a wrong (Amnesty International)

One step forward for LGBT rights in California, but threats remain worldwide. Our fight for equality must continue.


Dear Tracy ,

It was a historic moment for LGBT rights. This week, a federal appeals court reaffirmed that California's ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, is unconstitutional.

But even as we celebrate the court decision in California, others worldwide continue to face discrimination, violence and prison sentences -- solely because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

One place where this remains true is the central African country of Cameroon, where homosexuality is considered a criminal offense.

Criminalizing homosexuality isn't just on the wrong side of international human rights standards -- it's on the wrong side of history. With Valentine's Day soon upon us, we take this moment to remind Cameroon's authorities that "Love is a Right, Not a Wrong."

Demand that Cameroon respect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

People in Cameroon face arrest and imprisonment on charges of "homosexuality" under Cameroon's Penal Code. Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, a case featured in our recent Write for Rights campaign, is just one example -- he was jailed in Cameroon for 3 years in April 2011 for "homosexuality." In prison he's at increased risk of attack and ill-treatment, just because of his perceived sexual orientation.

But people like Jean-Claude Roger Mbede shouldn't be in prison in the first place.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people face a dangerous and unjust world. And despite this week's good news in California, the news in some places around the world is just getting worse:

St. Petersburg, Russia, is looking to ban "public actions" and "propaganda" around "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderness" -- an assault on the freedom of expression of Russia's LGBT community.
Uganda has re-introduced an appalling Anti-Homosexuality bill that in the previous iterations has called for the death penalty for the "crime" of "aggravated homosexuality."

Our work on LGBT rights has never been so important. With unprecedented progress for LGBT equality being won, we have a renewed opportunity -- and responsibility -- to help advance human rights for LGBT people everywhere.

Help us make an impact in Cameroon. Demand freedom and an end to discrimination for Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, and for others persecuted because of their real or perceived sexual orientation.

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=517183&tr=y&auid=10277142&msource=W0000ACFACE


With hope,

Michael O'Reilly
Senior Director, Individuals at Risk Campaign
Amnesty International USA