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Sexual Orientation Issues put on CSR Agenda

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Published Nov 14, 2015 11:56 PM by The Maritime Executive

Human rights charity Human Rights at Sea has released guidance on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in the maritime arena.

The new work includes information on issues relating to gender and LGBT produced by Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) and its advisers.

CEO of Human Rights at Sea, David Hammond, said “The coverage of gender and non-discrimination, and LGBT in the maritime environment as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR), are issues that cannot be ignored.”

Hammond believes that LGBT people can be subject to bullying and sexual violence in the maritime environment. From a corporate social responsibility perspective, this means that the maritime community must work to ensure a safe working environment for its employees.

In at least 76 countries globally, same-sex relations between consenting adults remains illegal. Penalties range from corporal punishment, to jail terms, life imprisonment and the death penalty. Discriminatory laws are found in both explicit terms, and in vague language related to morality, the policing of gender, and offences against the “order of nature.”

HRAS says gender is not about biological differences between men and women. These are fixed and pre-determined. These differences do not change. Gender is dynamic. It is subject to change; it is socially learned, constructed and applied within societies and environments.

HRAS has published information about LGBT and gender in the maritime environment. “The ILO and IMO, among many other national and international organizations, have already undertaken extensive work on the gender topic, and today HRAS adds its voice and weight behind these issues,” says Hammond.

He cites the worlds of Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon: “There are 17 sustainable development goals all based on a single, guiding principle: to leave no one behind. We will only realize this vision if we reach all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

More information is available here.