As the G7 summit kicks off in Hiroshima, Japan, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a crucial call from leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. The organization urges Sunak to follow Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s example and champion LGBTQ+ equality on the global stage. Stonewall believes it’s time for the UK to reclaim its position as a global leader in LGBTQ+ rights, but warns that progress requires an end to the harmful anti-trans culture wars.
The G7 summit serves as an annual international forum for leaders of member states, including the US, France, Canada, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Japan, to discuss and coordinate global policies. Ahead of the summit, Trudeau demonstrated his commitment by addressing Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding their anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Canada expressed concern about Italy’s positions on LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting the importance of such issues.
- Advertisement -
Italy, under Meloni’s leadership, has taken steps backward in LGBTQ+ rights, vowing to combat the so-called “LGBT lobby” and “gender ideology.” The Italian government’s actions, including refusing automatic registration of same-sex parents’ children and introducing a bill to criminalize surrogacy abroad, have been widely criticized as an attack on LGBTQ+ couples. Despite legalizing same-sex unions in 2016, Italy still denies same-sex couples adoption rights.
The meeting between Trudeau and Meloni emphasized the importance of protecting and defending human rights, including the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people. Stonewall’s CEO, Nancy Kelley, now urges Rishi Sunak to emulate Trudeau’s leadership and champion LGBTQ+ equality during his G7 engagement.
As the G7 summit takes place in Japan, the only member country that does not recognize same-sex marriage, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces renewed pressure to advance LGBTQ+ rights. In March, Japan’s main opposition party submitted a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, leading to a vibrant Tokyo Pride march, a significant event since 2019. Stonewall highlights the opportunity for close partners at the G7 to encourage Japan to make faster progress on marriage equality and anti-discrimination laws.
Stonewall’s director of external affairs, Robbie de Santos, emphasizes that the UK possesses the power to showcase its world-class anti-discrimination laws and set an example. Reclaiming global leadership on LGBTQ+ rights becomes paramount as other countries experience setbacks, such as Italy, and as Japan lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and a same-sex marriage framework. Fulfilling commitments to banning conversion practices, supporting the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill, and ending harmful anti-trans culture wars within the UK are key steps toward achieving genuine leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
