ILGA World Conference 2024 People’s Human Rights: “Kwa Umoja—We RISE”

by Walter Cassidy (he/him), Teacher, District 9, Greater Essex and Vanessa Stoby (she/her), OSSTF/FEESO Communications/Political Action Department

One of the first things the authors of this article noticed while attending the ILGA World Conference were the letters used to represent those in attendance—LGBTI. In many spaces, the use of terms like LGBTI versus 2SLGBTQIA+ reflects cultural context and self-determined language, shaped by the needs and identities of diverse Queer, Trans, and Intersex communities. What works for one community may not be appropriate or resonant for another. On a few occasions, we were asked to explain the reason for us using 2S (Two-Spirit), for the combination of the letters and why we had chosen that order at OSSTF/FEESO. All of which brought about perspectives that were impacted by our colonial and historical context in Canada. We also saw SOGISC (Sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual characteristic) used at the conference. All of us talked about how we have only seen SOGI being used in Canada and the need to think about how we include and exclude identity in our advocacy and work.”

For the purpose of this article, for consistency within OSSTF/FEESO communications, and most importantly to maintain our recognition of the diverse identities discussed in this article, the editors have selected to distinguish between the use of 2SLGTBQIA+ when referencing work within a Canadian context and the use of LGBTI when referencing work within the context of the conference and the experience of the attendees.

The 31st International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) World Conference was the largest in the organization’s history, with over 1,450 delegates participating from more than 100 countries. OSSTF/FEESO sent three delegates, Karen Littlewood—President, Vanessa Stoby—Communications/Political Action department staff, and Walter Cassidy—District 9 (Greater Essex) Teacher Bargaining Unit member, to the conference, held from November 10 to 15, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. Also in attendance were representatives from various Canadian unions, such as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU SEFPO), and the United Steelworkers Canada (USW). This was the Federation’s second time attending ILGA World since becoming a member organization in 2021.

This was the first time in 25 years that the event returned to African soil, signaling a renewed commitment to rebuilding alliances of inclusion with movements across the globe. For five days, the event brought together hundreds of LGBTI trade union leaders, human rights defenders and development experts, policymakers, international human rights mechanisms experts, government representatives, researchers, journalists, funders, and allies responding in global solidarity to the ongoing anti-rights pushback.

Trade unions

The involvement of trade unions in advancing human rights, especially those of LGBTI people, was front and centre at ILGA 2024. For the first time at ILGA, a pre-conference day was dedicated to trade unions. The strength, unity, and power in the room from the education, healthcare, public service, private unions, and skilled trades unions from Jamaica, the Philippines, Europe, North America, and across Africa imbued on the event a resonance of our shared humanity.

Both Zingiswa Losi, the President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and Steve Letsike, the South African Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, remarked that rights have been enshrined in law, and policies have been put in place to protect and support the rights of LGBTI people precisely because of the allyship of unions with these communities. Similarly, unions cannot exist with the continued activism and advocacy of LGBTI people in South Africa. The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) were all present at the conference; these unions have been change-makers in fighting for rights to equality and non-discrimination regarding to sexual orientation, gender expression, and sex characteristics. Trade unions noted that their work has been both external and internal. They have been internally working with their members to build learning and unlearning about LGBTI issues and challenges while also teaching about the importance of solidarity with fellow LGBTI union members. Externally, the fight is to work with the government and officials like Steve Letsike to propose changes in laws and policies at all levels including the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190 (C190), which in part, provides direction and policy to challenge violence against 2SLGBTQAI+ workers. It is important that organized labour occupy more space and that our unions stand together to ensure that progressive, positive, meaningful change becomes a reality for the lives of LGBTI people in South Africa.

In Brazil and Argentina, where unions have a long history of fighting for workers’ rights, inclusion, and tolerance, the uphill battle continues. Grassroots labour organizations in Brazil have been fundamental in defeating the dictator Jair Bolsonaro. Education, metalworkers and other trade unions worked in unity to help elect Luiz Inácio da Silva, popularly known simply as “Lula,” to the position of president. This victory illustrates workers’ strength in the democratic process. While attending ILGA, we were lucky enough to meet one of the activists responsible for this political sea change—Gisele Adao, the first Black lesbian in her trade union. Adao spoke of the ongoing fight against the right, against hate crimes, against the criminalization of LGBTI bodies and spaces. She highlighted that these challengers are still a stark reality in the Global South and North, even as progressive governments are elected. Now, more than ever, Canadian unions and labour organizations need to lean on our collective strength, our collective voice, and our collective power to battle the insidious populism of far-right politics. Being from the Global North is no protection from the growing hate that is being legitimized through rights-denying legislation.

One lesson learned from the African leaders and attendees at the conference is that we must continue to embrace our Indigenous communities. Collectively, there was an understanding that Indigenous people must be centred in of our work and our fight. African unions urged OSSTF/FEESO
to continue leading with an Indigenous narrative and building a shared sense of humanity.

Colonization—Global South and Global North

There were many takeaways from ILGA. As attendees, we came to realize we didn’t fully understand how LGBTI individuals and communities navigate in countries where it is illegal to be gay or trans. We talked to individuals from various African countries about how they deal with the illegality of being gay and trans in their homeland. When asked if they have safe spaces, safe bars, one person from Namibia said to us, “of course we do.” It was a moment to realize how our privilege and biases were emerging. As queer educators, sometimes we are guilty of using countries in Africa as examples of “how lucky we are because in Africa you could be jailed.” Of course there were LGBTI bars, just as there were similar bars back in Canada when to be gay or trans was still illegal.
When we were at the conference, we asked a presenter how we can change our stereotyped understandings of African countries and LGBTI laws and culture. Firstly, it was made clear that these stereotypes are ever-present, and that they continue to be tired and hurtful. We learned of the historical connection of sodomy laws that were imposed on various African countries, and how this history should be where the conversation begins. The anti-queer and trans laws LGBTI folx are dealing with started with the Global North’s colonization. Many LGBTI African groups and individuals are working diligently to elevate the truth: that the LGBTI community is—and always has been—a part of the history of the Global South. We learned that anti-LGBTI sentiment is originally a western concept imposed through colonization hundreds of years ago. In many African countries various different strategies are being developed to counter the colonial history narrative. We learned how individuals and activist groups across Africa are utilizing technology—such as the app Brandwatch—to counter hate. Rather than using the app for its conventional purpose of gathering consumer data to improve product efficiency, it is being repurposed to identify locations experiencing increased levels of online anti-LGBTI hate speech. This data is then used to organize targeted efforts to change the narrative, change the spaces, and bring about safer spaces for LGBTI people to occupy. In South Africa this strategy of supporting the anti-hate narrative is realized through queer celebration—by making LGBTI identities visible in museums, art, and books. In Cape Town we saw many examples of queer images, especially those connected to Kewpie, a South African drag queen and hairdresser, who presented as gender fluid as early as the 1960s and 70s and preferred feminine pronouns. She maintained a huge archive of photos and artifacts now stored in Johannesburg.

In countries where being LGBTI is illegal, simply by unearthing the long historical understandings of being Intersex, many LGBTI activists have made significant strides in getting some governments to understand the needs of intersex people in their own countries. These conversations have been used to help open the doors to discussion of other identities under the LGBTI umbrella.
Meeting so many intersex activists and groups, largely from countries in the Global South, we quickly realized that even as activists in Canada, we must learn and understand more about intersex individuals. By attending a variety of workshops on intersex identities, we learned how some intersex groups are working towards having sexual characteristics included in national Human Rights Codes. Others are working on increasing access to medication and medical support. Many intersex people we talked to at ILGA 2024 had been subject to invasive, non-consenting surgeries when they were very young. Even though the surgeries were covered by the government, the cost of lifelong medications these individuals must now rely on are not covered. Some intersex people have had to decide between paying bills, eating, or paying for their medications. We met groups from across Africa, South America, and Europe who are working with intersex individuals—supporting them in numerous ways to foster both personal and systemic understanding and acceptance of intersex identities. Notably, there was a distinct absence of representation from this community in North America.

Celebration of LGBTI identities in Cape Town

One of the themes woven through the week of ILGA World 2024, was the celebration of LGBTI bodies and minds. This celebration was illustrated by the artwork on display, installations that were permanent fixtures around the convention centre, literature and spoken word moments, a walking tour of the Archivo de la Memoria Trans (AMT) exhibition, discussion circles with Latin American authors, and most importantly the different social events scattered through the various nights. On the first night, the ‘Absolutely Fabulous Drag Show’ gave us two hours of out-of-this-world dynamic, authentic, and truly ‘warm fuzzy’ feelings. Over 1,450 people existed in a shared moment—wearing what they wanted, showing up how they needed to, and just living in the moment of joy. Another night we were taken to the Zeitz MOCAA Museum, a contemporary art museum that was initially a grain silo. We witnessed how the South African activist movement has actively embedded the celebration of LGBTI history and culture into their exhibits. This included the permanent collection of Adam and Orange Eve, an installation of pictures depicting gay, lesbian, and non-binary people from the beginning of time through to the inclusion of photos of trans South Africans from different periods. The collection also included art exploring the reality of criminal laws on sexual identity in Africa. As Canadian trade unionists and educators it was a surprise to us to see Moffie Drag pictures and the history of Cape Town men who lived like women in one of the hotel lobbies, LGBTI artwork in the bathrooms of “regular” restaurants, and these identities represented in shopping areas. We came with preconceived notions that LGBTI bodies and minds would not be readily illustrated in South African society. The superiority complex of the Global North has existed and continues to permeate thinking due to a deeply embedded paternalism and colonial systems; it took us coming here to start to recognize, name, and unlearn these lessons.What is next?

It is difficult to consider a conclusion for this experience simply because this was an event that was not just about celebration, it was a moment where the world came together to tell our stories, to show our needs, and consider ways to support each other.

The day we arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, Donald Trump had been declared the next President of the United States of America. The feeling in the air was one of sadness and shock; many said to us sarcastically, “Welcome to the Club.” Many moments at ILGA World stressed that the reason we are all here is to continue to build our connections, strengthen our resolve, and enact tangible action plans to combat the hateful far right governments being ushered in across the globe. Mpho Andrea Tutu van Furth, the United Nations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, an activist and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, spoke to this as the keynote speaker of the ILGA World Conference; she said “not to treat democracy as a spectator sport and that your ballot is not a ticket to snooze in the stands. Your ballot is permission to hold your representatives to standards. Stay awake.”

The OSSTF/FEESO delegation members left ILGA World filled with trusted learning, necessary new perspectives, deep humility, along with a true sense of belonging, but most importantly a re-conceptualized passion to organize and mobilize to eradicate injustice and discrimination while advocating for the rights, freedom, and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Ontario and Canada. One of the staunchest allies to trade unions in his country, Steve Letsike, the South African Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, when speaking at the World Assembly laid down a passionate call for action to trade unions, asking us to keep fighting for dignity and recognition of the inherent rights of every individual no matter their gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed. The intersectionality of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and other issues such as women’s rights, migrants’ rights, poverty, class, and race are interconnected. Hence, it is up to OSSTF/FEESO to remain actively at the forefront of this fight. Liberation for one is liberation for all.

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WORKS CITED
District Six Museum – https://www.districtsix.co.za/project/kewpie-daughter-of-district-six/
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) – https://ilga.org/