Jews, homosexuals, and Gypsies, the yellow, pink and brown triangles, were the prisoners who suffered most frequently and most severely from

the tortures and blows of the SS and the Capos. They were described as the scum of humanity, who had no right to live on German soil and should

be exterminated… but the lowest of the low in this “scum” were we, the men with the pink triangle.”

― Heinz Heger, The Men with the Pink Triangle: The True Life-and-Death Story of Homosexuals in the Nazi Death Camps

The Global North is known for its tolerance toward the LGBTQ+ community and liberal, progressive policies. Is that the case across the board? Do some Global North regions fall behind others in regards to LGBTQ+ rights?

The continuous endeavor to achieve political and human rights for LGBT people is nothing new. Even in some of the most progressive countries and regions in the world, LGBT rights are still under threat. According to Freedom House, a non-profit organization that advocates for issues such as human rights and democracy, there not only has been a decline in freedom for 72 countries in 2016, 105 countries over the past 10 years, at the time the article was written, saw a net decline of freedoms and liberties. Their research at the time concluded that most of the decline in freedoms were attributed to the reduction in freedom of expression as well as the rule of law. In the seven years since the article was written, the situation seemed to have worsened.

Physical and political attacks on members LGBT community, including organizations that are LGBT or support them, have come under threat by authoritative governments, or illiberal democracies turning toward authoritarianism. This was witnessed in countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Russia. The attack on LGBTQ+ rights has escalated recently in the United States, primarily in Republican-led states.

These next few pages will cover material that is mature in nature and cover topics that may be difficult to read. Yet, it is not meant to trigger anxiety or create a sense of hopelessness. Instead, it is to educate the populace and garner global support for LGBTQ+ people and the rights they are fighting to obtain and maintain.