May 17 celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which aims to raise awareness for LGBTQ rights.
Unfortunately, discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ community is still prevalent and in many countries being part of this community is still considered a crime.
According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), one third of United Nations (UN) member countries criminalized people for their sexual orientation and in eight UN countries the death penalty is applied to anyone who has had sexual relations with of someone of the same sex.
According to the investigation, even though there have been minor advances is some parts of the world, the current global situation is worrisome and there is an increasing number of countries which have implemented specific laws to protect discrimination and violence.
Currently, 43 countries have laws against hate crimes, 72 against work-place discrimination and 23 allow same-sex marriage.
However, in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan, relations between members of the same sex can be punished with the death penalty.
In Mexico, representatives of many civic organizations consider that there is still a lot of work to be done to reduce discrimination.
Acts of inequality, discrimination, hate and violence continue to grow in some areas of the country.
And nothing has been done to include content on sexual diversity in school curriculums, due to backlash by radical fundamentalist groups.
