Victor Madrigal-Borloz, an independent expert for the United Nations, voiced significant concern over an apparent uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in the UK during his assessment of the country’s LGBTQ+ rights. His concerns stem from a ten-day visit to the UK, during which he noticed a troubling trend of increased hate speech directed against marginalized groups, fueled in part by vitriolic rhetoric from politicians, media, and social commentators.
Rising Hate Crimes and Lack of Action on Conversion Therapy
Madrigal-Borloz highlighted his distress over the “increased bias-motivated incidents of harassment, threats, and violence against LGBT people,” which he linked to a “rampant surge in hate crimes in the UK.” The public debate surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity, he noted, has taken on a toxic nature, leading to a surge in these incidents.
The UN expert also expressed apprehension about the lengthy wait times for gender-affirming care in the National Health Service (NHS) and the government’s apparent lack of progress in banning conversion therapy. The continued indecision on the latter issue was described as “perplexing” by Madrigal-Borloz.
Concerns Over Asylum Policies and Re-Defining Sex
On the topic of asylum, Madrigal-Borloz criticized the UK government’s current and proposed asylum policies, suggesting that they could effectively amount to an asylum ban, contrary to international refugee law standards. He expressed particular concern for LGBTQ+ individuals who could be disproportionately affected by such a ban.
Madrigal-Borloz reserved particular criticism for a recent letter from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch. The letter, which suggested redefining sex as “biological sex” under the Equality Act, was a cause for alarm. The UN expert was “shocked” to learn that this advice was given without a clear definition of ‘biological sex’ and appeared to aim at discriminatory distinctions under UK law.
Need for Evidence-Based Evaluations and Respect for Human Rights
Madrigal-Borloz concluded his assessment by reminding politicians of their duty to conduct evidence-based evaluations free from stigma when debating policies affecting LGBTQ+ individuals. He noted that the ‘abusive rhetoric’ trickling down from politicians was facilitating hate speech on social media, which in turn was fueling real-world hate crimes.
These observations have sparked reactions from various campaigners and human rights organizations, emphasizing the importance of equality, fairness, and respect for human rights in shaping a modern society. The continued vigilance and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights are paramount, particularly in light of recent reports that indicate a decline in the UK’s ranking in terms of LGBTQ+ safety.