GIC+ Research Project

Objectives

Most scholarship on LGTB+ rights focuses on regulatory changes made by policymakers, legislators and members of the executive, as well as on developments in the judiciary world. However, senior religious leaders often hold significant influence in countries that promote anti-LGBT policies as well as those that are currently experiencing “roll-back”. In an increasing number of cases, religious leaders themselves are advocating for active discrimination against LGBT+ people, based on their understanding of religious texts. In certain circumstances this can even lead them to support violence against LGBT+ people and even to condone the death penalty. These religious leaders perceive matters to do with LGBT+ identity as a “Western concept” and are not swayed by human rights arguments, which they view as part of a “liberal agenda”. This interdisciplinary research project will analyse interactions between religious and political leaders, reflecting the project in terms of the theory and practice of ideological change preceding, informing and influencing regulatory reform.

Management

Project Director: Prof Dr Freya Baetens, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (GIC+ Project Director)