The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, says that anti-gay hate crimes are on the rise, and cites New York City, Brazil, Honduras, and South Africa as four examples of the rise in anti-gay hate crimes. 20% of all hate crimes now are anti-gay hate crimes, on the rise from 15%.
“Outside of Europe and North America, the situation is even direr, as more than 80 countries still criminalize homosexuality,” writes Human Rights First. “People like the Ugandan Parliamentarian David Bahati continue to advance the notion that gay rights are not human rights. Antigay activists are increasingly turning to the international arena to spread the messages of hatred and intolerance.”