Annual Meeting

ABA House condemns laws worldwide discriminating against LGBT people and criminalizing homosexuality

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The ABA House of Delegates has adopted policy recognizing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people and condemning laws, regulations, rules and practices that discriminate against them.

Resolution 114B addresses international concerns and was proposed by the International Law Section; the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section; and the Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

While there has been significant progress in such matters in the United States and elsewhere, some 76 countries still criminalize homosexuality, though some don’t enforce such laws. Still, in other countries the problem is worsening. For example, Nigeria earlier this year passed legislation for a 10-year prison sentence for homosexuality; and in April, Brunei became the eighth country to have capital punishment for gay sex acts.

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