the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the targeting of persons based on their sexual orientation.

聯合國安理會發表聲明，責備這樣的性歧視行為

This was the first time the United Nations took an official stance on LGBT discrimination,

這是聯合國首次以官方立場檢視同性戀歧視議題

and perhaps surprisingly, it garnered support from a number of countries that outlaw homosexuality,

令人驚訝的是，這樣的立場獲得了許多不支持同性戀國家的認同

including Egypt and Russia. So, where do these draconian laws exist?

包刮了埃及以及俄國。所以，在哪些地方還存在著這些嚴酷的法律？

Where is it illegal to be gay?

哪些地方同性戀是不合法的呢？

Well, according to the UN, homosexuality is a crime in at least 74 countries, 13 of which

恩，根據聯合國，至少在74個國家中，同性戀被視為犯法的，甚至在這其中的13國國家中

impose the death penalty for these alleged “crimes.” These laws exist most pervasively in Africa and the Middle East,

會處死刑來懲罰這些所謂的「罪行」。這些法律在非洲以及中東特別的常見

where lengthy prison sentences, forced psychiatric treatment, whippings,

有著漫長的監獄服刑、強迫性的精神治療、無數的鞭刑、

hard labor and death by public stoning are all common punishments for homosexuality.

苦勞工、以及被公眾丟石頭致死的死刑。這些都是同性戀常見的刑罰

Some of the most notable anti-gay laws exist in Uganda, where individuals can face life in prison for homosexual acts.

最著名的反同性戀法律就在烏干達，做了同性戀的行為則會被判決終生監禁

These laws were first introduced by Uganda’s British colonial rulers in the 19th Century,

烏干達的這些法律是19世紀時被英國所訂定的

and retained through the country’s independence in 1962.

而在1962年，國家獨立後而被保留下來的

But, they largely went unenforced until the early 2000s, that's when American Christian Missionaries

但是，這些法律直到早期的2000年時才開始實施，這時的美國基督徒傳教士

popularized the idea that gay people sought to destroy their society by preying on and recruiting children as homosexuals.

大肆宣揚同性戀人會誘惑小孩們成為同性戀而造成社會混亂

This is also been directly linked to Uganda’s infamous Anti-Homosexuality,

這也會聯想到烏干達惡名昭彰的反同性戀政策

or “kill the gays” bill, which, in 2014, originally made homosexuality punishable by death.

或是在2014年所制定的「殺害同性戀者」條款，懲罰同性戀者致死

The bill was subsequently overturned, and no later versions have successfully made it through parliament.

但是，這樣的條款在之後則被推翻掉，之後也無法再被國會支持

But inarguably worse place to be gay is Iran, which enforces capital punishment.

但是，嚴格來說最反同性戀的地方是伊朗，實施了死刑條款

The law makes a distinction for gay women, who are lashed 50 times for their first three offenses,

這法律中，女同性戀有差別待遇，在前三次的犯法，會受到鞭刑50下

but for any further offenses the punishment is still death.

但是，超過三次犯法，則仍處死刑

Gay men can also be whipped for lesser acts, like kissing or holding hands. Iran’s anti-gay laws

而男同性戀會被鞭刑，但只是一些微不足道的動作，像是親吻或是牽手。伊朗的反同性戀法律

stem from their adherence to Sharia Law, which is a strict interpretation of the teachings of Islam.

是來自他們對於伊斯蘭教法的衷心，嚴謹的傳受伊斯蘭教的中心思想

The Quran explicitly states that sex between men should be punished, however

可蘭經清楚指出男同性戀是要被處罰的，但是

it does not specify how, and later adds that those who repent should be left alone.

它並沒有準確指出要怎麼樣的處罰方式，而在之後則提出這些懺悔的同性戀者要讓他們單獨地留下

Still, human rights groups estimate that between four thousand and six thousand people have been executed for such acts since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

不過，人權團體估計在1979年的伊朗伊斯蘭革命，大約4千到6千人被處刑

Afghanistan also adheres to Sharia Law, and, in effect, strictly forbids homosexuality.

阿富汗人也信伊斯蘭教法，完全禁止同性戀

While the country was under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, gay men and women were routinely executed.

從1996到2001年，國家按照著塔里班的政權，男同性戀或女同性戀也是經常被處刑

However, since the extremist group was toppled by US forces, Afghanistan has generally punished homosexual acts with a prison sentence.

但是，這些極端主義者被美國軍隊給推翻掉後，阿富汗人則普遍處罰同性戀者坐牢

And, although capital punishment is still enshrined in their legal code, it has reportedly gone unenforced since 2001.

雖然死刑仍存在於他們的法律中，但自從2001年，據說這樣的死刑已未執行的

But, these laws are not exclusive to Africa and the Middle East. In 2013, Russia enacted the infamous anti-Gay Propaganda Law,

但是，不是只有在非洲或是中東才看得到這些法律。在2013年，俄國訂定了反同性戀宣傳法

which prohibits discussion or display of any non-traditional sexual behavior, ostensibly, to protect minors.

也就是禁止討論或是宣傳任何有關違反傳統的性行為。表面上則是說為了保護未成年人

Additionally, Belize has outlawed same-sex activity since 1988, and today, their Immigration Act

另外，伯利兹（中美洲）從1988年起，禁止同性戀活動。而現今，他們的移民政策

bars gay men and women from even entering the country. The United Nations and various human rights organizations

禁止男同性戀與女同性戀，甚至禁止他們的進入。聯合國以及許多人權組織

have made efforts to decriminalize homosexuality. However, the worst offenders have yet to reform their anti-gay laws.

致力於同性戀的合法化。但是，這些最糟糕無理的人卻仍未更改反同性戀的條款

While Iran may have some of the strict anti-gay laws, the country is surprisingly accepting transgender people.

雖然伊朗有幾個嚴格的反同性戀法律，但這國家卻意外地接受變性者

And, the government even funds gender reassignment surgeries. But, is Iran really being open-minded? Or, it's something going on ? Find out in this video.

政府甚至資助性別重置手術（變性）費。但是伊朗真的有思想開明嗎？或是另有問題？快來看看這部影片

While the high rate of surgeries may seem to suggest a more progressive Iran, in practical application, the situation is much worse than it seems.

雖然這樣高手術率的伊朗可能是個較為進步性的國家，但是實際上並不是如此

The issue stems from the fact that any non-heterosexual behavior is condemned. Thus, sex reassignment is more of an effort

這個變性議題是因為任何非異性的行為則會被判罪。因此，變性是一個較為可行的方法

to bring a person's behavior and lifestyle in line with Islamic law. Thanks for watching Seeker Daily. Don't forget to like and subscribe for new videos every day.

人的行為與生活形式因而能順勢符合伊斯蘭法律。謝謝你們收看Seeker Daily。不要忘記喜歡我們的影片以及訂閱，你們就可以每天收看新的影片