Stonewall at 50 | Journeyman Pictures

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Film: Stonewall at 50

http://www.journeyman.tv/film/8087

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[00:00:13.10]On June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar.

[00:00:21.19]

A Protest turned into a riot.

[00:00:32.14]

The next night, thousands turned up again to protest.

[00:00:35.06]

The Stonewall riots sparked a turning point.

[00:00:56.20]

Within six months, two LGBT organisations and three LGBT newspapers were founded in New York.

[00:01:06.02]

A year later, the first Pride Parades were held in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

[00:01:21.02]

Today, for many around the world, LGBT+ rights remain under threat.

[00:01:28.21]

The work we are doing

is very critical, it is a life risk.

[00:01:34.08]He was a father, how could he hurt my child this way?

[00:01:38.00]I was told in no uncertain terms that disgusting people like me,

[00:01:44.07]there was no place for them in the armed forces.

[00:01:47.21]

Here they kill us, simply saying

[00:01:49.25]'You're a "faggot", you're a "dyke".

[00:01:51.14]We're going to kill you our of sport.'

[00:01:59.20]Gay sex is still illegal in 69 countries.

[00:02:13.19]Seven nations have the death penalty for gay sex.

[00:02:19.08]STONEWALL 50

[00:02:23.09]Where next for LGBT+ lives

[00:02:30.01]San Pedro Sula

Honduras

[00:02:45.20]I was born biologically as a woman,

[00:02:49.19]but my identity is male.

[00:02:55.23]I can't say I had a beautiful childhood.

[00:03:00.08]It was even worse when my breasts developed,

[00:03:02.21]I would ask my mum to cut them off

[00:03:05.08]because I didn't want to have them.

[00:03:07.08]I tried to find someone to help me

[00:03:10.15]to stop this development, but no one heard me.

[00:03:12.24]Many times I yelled,

[00:03:15.08]I'd say, 'I'm a man like my brothers.'

[00:03:19.17]Back then perhaps I didn't realise that

[00:03:22.02]I was self-identifying as a transsexual man.

[00:03:25.26]

But over time you discover the person you are.

[00:03:33.05]EDUARDO

[00:03:37.18]Honduras has one of the highest murder rates ouside a war zone.

[00:03:44.05]The truth is that living in Honduras

[00:03:46.00]as a transsexual person, aside from the violence that

[00:03:49.25]we are used to already,

[00:03:51.23]for transsexual peoeple it's very difficult because

[00:03:55.13]you see two or three people dead monthly from the transsexual community,

[00:04:01.09]from the LGBTI community in general.

[00:04:03.21]They kill us here simply saying,

[00:04:06.11]'You are a "faggot", you're a "dyke".

[00:04:08.23]We're going to kill you out of sport.'

[00:04:16.02]There have been about 2,500 reported murders of trans and gender diverse people in Central and South America in the past decade.

[00:04:22.25]Human rights organisations suggest the actual figure is far higher.

[00:04:33.04]Honduras is a country that lacks everything.

[00:04:37.29]It lacks security. It lacks education.

[00:04:40.04]Justice turns a blind eye.

[00:04:42.27]The guilty go free and the innocent are imprisoned.

[00:04:47.09]The Honduran government reports that more than 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes go unpunished.

[00:05:00.07]Taoyuan City

Taiwan

[00:05:05.04]I run my family with my partner.

[00:05:12.15]Our family is quite rare in Taiwan because we are a same-sex couple with a child.

[00:05:19.03]You used to be a bit of a hipster, but now your style is just like a mummy.

[00:05:25.11]Mama, my dear mama.

[00:05:30.12]Because in Taiwan, it is difficult to have a test tube baby,

[00:05:36.25]gay people who want to do this have to go abroad.

[00:05:41.21]JOVI

[00:05:47.13]Jovi had her daughter through a sperm donor in Thailand.

[00:06:00.01]In Taiwan, it is not possible for same-sex partners to adopt a child unless they are married.

[00:06:08.16]I do worry that my child could be bullied.

[00:06:12.22]I want her to know that

[00:06:14.11]no one can hurt her just because she has two parents of the same gender.

[00:06:21.28]When she does face pressure and harmful comments one day,

[00:06:24.18]maybe she will be hurt at first,

[00:06:27.13]but she will have the strength to overcome the pain.

[00:06:36.00]I think the biggest challenge is that

[00:06:37.05]there is a lack of anti-discriimnation law in Taiwan.

[00:06:38.23]This is a serious problem.

[00:06:43.27]There was a middle school student,

[00:06:46.09]a boy, who was feminine,

[00:06:50.03]he was laughed at and bullied by his classmates.

[00:06:54.20]They said, 'You are a homosexual, so you will get AIDS.'

[00:06:58.06]Tat little boy jumped from the fourth floor.

[00:07:01.03]And that teacher even wrote a 'heart-warming' note saying he was silly.

[00:07:06.25]This is discrimination.

[00:07:11.25]Anti-same sex marriage demostration

December 2016

[00:07:15.24]What are you opposing?

We are human beings.

[00:07:20.04]you are fighting against my child having a family.

[00:07:25.06]People, who I would describe as homophobic,

[00:07:27.18]held protests and demonstrations.

[00:07:32.09]They protested, saying that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

[00:07:36.17]We brought our daughter along with us.

[00:07:39.12]When we got home,

[00:07:41.13]I posted on Facebook.

[00:07:44.21]And there was one father,

[00:07:46.11]who used the photo of my daughter without permission.

[00:07:49.17]He wrote,

[00:07:50.18]'This is the pathetic kid born of sick lesbians.'

[00:07:57.01]He used my daughter's photo.

[00:07:58.29]I was furious with him.

[00:08:02.29]He was a father. How could he hurt my child?

[00:08:08.24]If his child was hurt like this, how would he react?

[00:08:15.15]Why should my child be hurt like this?

[00:08:24.11]

Undisclosed location

Tanzania

[00:08:33.25]My sexuality...

[00:08:35.26] I grew up and I come to realise

[00:08:39.10]

I'm not attracted to having a relationship with girls,

[00:08:44.03]but I'm so much romantically, emotionally attracted to my fellow men.

[00:08:54.17]

Due to the security situation,

[00:08:57.19]

now it's not welcome for me to

identify myself openly.

[00:09:01.14]I'd love to but it will backlash on me.

[00:09:05.01]I would be at a higher risk of being attacked, abused, or even

to be put in jail.

[00:09:13.13]AMANI

[00:09:15.09](Not his real name)

[00:09:17.28]Under Tanzanian law, consensual same-sex acts could lead to 30 years in prison.

[00:09:22.22]I am a human rights defender.

[00:09:25.21]We are defending those who are sexual minorities.

[00:09:29.12]Our government doesn't recognise LGBT people.

[00:09:36.03]And mostly, it's about religion.

[00:09:41.04]Muslim, they believe what has the Koran sasy about these people.

[00:09:49.03]So the new government' regional commission announced,

[00:09:52.09]'I don't want to see this community in my cities

[00:09:57.05]and anyone has seen those people,

[00:09:59.21]they should come to me and I'll look to arrest them.'

[00:10:03.02]So now people, they are afraid to come and look for these services.

[00:10:06.23]Some of them, they have even moved from town,

[00:10:08.27]and live in the bush area, where they feel that they are safe.

[00:10:14.08]We had clubs where it was free for any person.

[00:10:19.10]Because gay people, the way they dance is totally different from straight people.

[00:10:23.21]So we had that place where gays, they could express themselves the way they want,

[00:10:28.22]without anyone interfering or judging the way he or she dances.

[00:10:33.10]But after these changes, that club was shut down.

[00:10:38.17]It's no longer there.

[00:10:40.17]So, that's our challenge.

[00:10:46.11]Human rights groups say that since the change of government in Tanzania in 2015, policies towards LGBTQ+ people have become much more oppressive.

[00:10:55.17]Southampton

England

[00:11:09.03]I was in the navy for just under 18 years.

[00:11:13.15]I joined up in 1976.

[00:11:15.28] I had a fantastic time.

[00:11:18.02]However,

in my basic training

[00:11:20.29]it became evident within a couple of

weeks, that they didn't accept gays.

[00:11:27.16]And if anybody was caught, they'd be kicked out immediately.

[00:11:31.26]It certainly came

as a shock to me.

[00:11:34.01]Here they were telling me that I wasn't good

enough.

[00:11:38.17]Not me personally, but anybody of my nature.

[00:11:42.22]JOE

[00:11:47.08]Homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967.

[00:11:50.03]It was illegal for gay and lesbian people to serve in the armed forces until 2000.

[00:11:56.26]I haven't had a look through this for years, I haven't.

[00:12:00.29]See here, these were all the guys who I used to work with.

[00:12:06.18]They were a good bunch of lads, they were. And girls.

[00:12:11.01]I'm bisexual.

[00:12:12.21]I've always kept it to myself.

[00:12:16.22]I was aware of it from when I was about 10 years of age.

[00:12:21.22]It was just a gut feeling that I wasn't the same as everybody else.

[00:12:27.05]Well, I was living a lie.

[00:12:29.12]But I always made sure that I never did anything illegal.

[00:12:35.02]I was very careful who I went out with.

[00:12:36.06]I was very careful what I said.

[00:12:40.29]Because the slightest thing you say wrong,

[00:12:42.19]you'd have the Special Investigation Branch shadowing you, reading your letters.

[00:12:48.04]But I was convinced that I could lead my life,

[00:12:51.29]and play along with the game.

[00:12:56.07]In 1993, Joe was accused of indecently assaulting a fellow male sailor.

[00:13:00.25]It was just a trumped up charge.

[00:13:03.07]What they said is that I'd got into bed with this guy

[00:13:06.22]and I'd touched the side of his thigh.

[00:13:10.02]And that's all there was to it.

[00:13:12.19]In the end, I was found not guilty of this charge.

[00:13:16.01]But like most charges, they always throw in a second one,

[00:13:19.10]which is conduct prejudicial to good order and naval discipline.

[00:13:23.29]And I was found guilty of this charge.

[00:13:27.12]During the case, Joe admitted his sexuality and was dismissed from the navy.

[00:13:32.21]But straight afterwards, they took me to a room.

[00:13:38.00]An S.A. - that's a store's assistant -

[00:13:39.10]came in with a pair of scissors,

[00:13:40.27]said, 'Sorry, mate, I need this medal,' and just cut it off my tunic.

[00:13:48.15]Left me with my Northern Ireland medal and my Falkland medal.

[00:13:52.19]But in 12 years, I'd had an unblemished history,

[00:13:54.07]and yet all that hard work I'd put in meant nothing.

[00:14:08.06]

Here, all of us feel vulnerable.

[00:14:11.02]I have a past full of violence.

[00:14:14.02]But in one way or another, it has helped me move on.

[00:14:18.11]When I was 15, I was harrassed

[00:14:20.08]by the person who realised my identity, so to speak.

[00:14:23.09]Many times he lent me his clothes and would say,

[00:14:24.27]'Wear this shirt, wear these pants. They'll look good on you.'

[00:14:29.26]He pretended to be my best friend

[00:14:32.22]but then he began harassing me.

[00:14:36.16]He raped me

[00:14:37.19]along with two other people.

[00:14:44.07]I was abandoned in a creek

[00:14:47.10]with no mercy.

[00:14:48.21]I defended myself as much as I could.

[00:14:51.00]But they left me for dead.

[00:14:53.12]I don't know how to swim.

[00:14:55.01]And I remained floating in the water for a long time.

[00:14:59.00]I believe it was a time that

[00:15:00.27]completely tore my life apart.

[00:15:12.05]Trans men are more invisible than women.

[00:15:16.01]We are, I think, the last group to be discovered,

[00:15:18.27]so to speak, or to come to light.

[00:15:21.04]I felt alone on the field.

[00:15:24.10]And I wondered, 'Am I the only transexual man?'

[00:15:27.10]Everybody else, where are they?

What do I do?'

[00:15:33.21]I haven't had a formal job for around six years.

[00:15:40.11]There isn't gender identity legislation in Honduras

[00:15:42.27]that guarantees that I can have a job opportunity.

[00:15:46.00]The ID card represents an obstacle.

[00:15:48.13]This is an ID card in Honduras.

[00:15:52.25]It's the first thing an employer will look at.

[00:15:56.14]They see a female name and a masculine face.

[00:15:59.24]So they don't match when you're going for a job.

[00:16:02.05]Discrimination then increases.

[00:16:05.24]They say, 'He's a person from the LGBTI community.'

[00:16:08.22]That's a huge disadvantage,

[00:16:10.00]and leads to my resume ending up in the bin.

[00:16:17.13]Thank God, my partner supports me one way or another

[00:16:21.19]in everything that I need,

[00:16:23.21]unlike many others who have nothing.

[00:16:26.07]Many are forced into drugs,

[00:16:29.09]others get involved with gangs.

[00:16:34.01]That's another way many comrades from the trans community die.

[00:16:46.18]I go out onto the streets, I talk about problems

[00:16:48.27]with people from the LGBTI community.

[00:16:51.04]I believe many young people now

[00:16:53.25]are killing themselves for problems they have.

[00:16:56.23]Teaching a person that they're not alone

[00:16:59.15]provides them with that motivation to continue living.

[00:17:10.06]What are you scared of?

[00:17:12.12]Mockery. Because we're in a country where they bully you for anything.

[00:17:15.24]Perhaps other countries are more open and nicer,

[00:17:19.16]because the laws are different,

[00:17:22.13]it's another way of life, that I hope to know one day.

[00:17:27.26]Luis, have you ever thought

[00:17:29.10]of doing sex work?

[00:17:32.13]There was a time that I did.

[00:17:34.00]Yes, I was going to do it.

[00:17:36.12]But I had a goal and I said, 'No.'

[00:17:41.29]Many friends encouraged me to do it

[00:17:45.04]and because you're desperate sometimes you feel like you want to.

[00:17:47.10]Yes.

[00:17:47.20]I'd like to be loved and to love and to be able to count on someone.

[00:18:00.13]At that time, the guard says, 'Wait a moment.

[00:18:02.24]There is still another princess.

[00:18:05.27]Let's welcome Princess Madeleine and her older brother, Prince Lee.'

[00:18:11.29]And the prince suddenly has a crush.

[00:18:16.23]But on whom? He's in love.

[00:18:22.26]In western countries, there are many picture books about gender equality,

[00:18:25.04]which can let kids know

[00:18:26.29]that some kids come from families with same-sex parents.

[00:18:29.16]But in Taiwan such books are rare,

[00:18:32.21]

so the work I'm doing now and the stories that I'm trying to popularise

[00:18:36.00]aim to let kids know that every family is equal.

[00:18:40.22]

Let's see who he had a crush on.

[00:18:44.07]'Oh my goodness, what a prince!'

[00:18:47.02]He had a crush for the first time.

[00:18:49.03]And everything else just turned into pink bubbles.

[00:18:52.21]Then they fell deeply in love

[00:18:55.16]and held a special wedding.

[00:19:08.23]ID cards in Taiwan have the names of mothers and fathers printed on them.

[00:19:13.27]My daughter found my ID card and asked me what was on it.

[00:19:16.17]So we tried to turn it into a story, 'This is your grandfather and grandmother.'

[00:19:25.03]Then she asked me, 'Will my ID card have both my mums' names on it?'

[00:19:29.09]I thought about it and I just felt so upset, and said, 'Maybe not.'

[00:19:33.04]But she said she really wanted to have both mothers' names on her ID card.

[00:19:37.15]I was moved.

[00:19:40.28]We didn't expect things to be like this.

[00:19:45.14]We thought we had built a family and that life would be simple.

[00:20:02.07]Then we tried to talk to and gain support from those who can change the law,

[00:20:09.10]and explained our situation.

[00:20:11.28]We didn't do this just so that we could get married.

[00:20:16.16]I think marriage sucks.

[00:20:21.01]In Asia, marriage is not just a union between you and another person.

[00:20:24.15]It is a union of two families -- super-scary.

[00:20:28.03]I don't love her parents at all.

[00:20:29.14]I love my partner, but I don't love her parents.

[00:20:33.00]But because we have our kid, we want to get married.

[00:20:35.08]We want to give her a better chance in life.

[00:20:37.14]Our dream is that we can adopt our child.

[00:20:41.04]This is just a step for us.

[00:20:48.25]In 2017, Taiwan's constitutional court ruled that parliament must legalise same-sex marriage within two years.

[00:20:52.06]Jove and Mindy intend to take over vows on the date the law comes into effect.

[00:20:59.20]The day I was discharged

[00:21:02.08]I went back home. I'm sat in an empty house.

[00:21:06.09]I had no friends down there because all my friends were in the armed forces.

[00:21:10.22]So I had no one I could talk to.

[00:21:13.15]I felt so lonely

[00:21:15.13]and isolated, it was unbelievable.

[00:21:18.14]I had no money coming in. I had a mortgage hanging round my neck.

[00:21:23.18]And I didn't know which way to turn.

[00:21:25.24]In the end, I resorted to going into farmers' fields and nicking potatoes and cabbages.

[00:21:32.09]So it took its toll on me and I ended up

[00:21:34.28]something like £15,000 ($19,000) in debt.

[00:21:39.00]It took me up to 10 years to sort my life out.

[00:21:43.14]I appealed against it.

[00:21:46.24]At least I wanted my medal back.

[00:21:48.21]And my badges and my rank.

[00:21:52.05]In the end, it has a wider scope because

[00:21:56.07]had they not discharged me, I would have got a full pension.

[00:22:00.22]Given that they dismissed me,

[00:22:03.21]it meant that I had to wait a further 17 years

[00:22:06.29]before I got a reduced pension.

[00:22:09.27]I don't want compensation. All I want is what justly is mine.

[00:22:14.23]I have been fighting now for 25 years since 1993.

[00:22:19.07]My way of thinking is that until my very last breath

[00:22:22.05]I will fight them

[00:22:24.08]because it's a just cause.

[00:22:28.16]And I'm not going to give in to them.

[00:22:32.08]I will get the medal back. Trust me.

[00:22:35.05]Either that or else I'll snuff it.

[00:22:39.16]A spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Defence said:

'We are currently looking at how personnel discharged from service because of their sexuality, or now abolished sexual offences, can have their medals returned.'

[00:22:49.27]I have been going through a lot.

[00:22:52.19]It reached a point where my brother chased me out of the family.

[00:22:57.08]Then from that, I think, I have a potential thing to do for my community,

[00:23:03.11]who are suffering like I have suffered.

[00:23:06.07]I started looking at what LGBT means, what human rights mean,

[00:23:11.10]for me to be able to empower myself before I engaged fully in this movement.

[00:23:16.18]Amani runs an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ people in Tanzania.

[00:23:21.06]We empower the community to know their rights, first.

[00:23:25.09]To understand, when someone comes to arrest me,

[00:23:27.13]I should ask first, 'Who are you, and why are you arresting me?'

[00:23:30.05]

To minimise being abused, something like that.

[00:23:33.25]The organisation is under investigation by the police.

[00:23:39.13]Police raided the offices, with the accusation that we are promoting homosexuality.

[00:23:45.00]The word 'promotion' is unidentified,

[00:23:47.25]because for us, we do not see that we are doing promotion.

[00:23:51.05]We are not recruiting people to become a gay person.

[00:23:55.09]I explained to them, 'I'm not doing any illegal work.

[00:24:00.06]What I do is under constitution.'

[00:24:03.02]Our government also has developed some documents on how to work with these groups,

[00:24:07.07]because they are HIV high-risk prevalence.

[00:24:11.20]There is confusion.

[00:24:14.06]On the programme, they do work with these communities.

[00:24:19.29]Amani is still awaiting the outcome of the investigation and to hear whether he faces prison.

[00:24:38.22]This is a beach in Omoa.

[00:24:41.23]We like to come here because it is safe.

[00:24:44.05]Here, we aren't afraid of being assaulted or being beaten.

[00:24:48.25]Or abused because of the way they might look at us.

[00:24:52.00]I can swim at ease here.

[00:24:54.09]I can take off my clothes without being afraid that something might happen to me.

[00:25:05.14]The relationship with my partner isn't easy.

[00:25:08.12]We have adapted.

[00:25:10.05]Although it hasn't been easy at all for her.

[00:25:12.06]Because, like I said, she's a lesbian.

[00:25:15.01]But she said, 'Well, I love you

[00:25:18.27]and I love you as you are.

[00:25:23.00]I'll make your dream come true.'

[00:25:26.06]She purchased my first testosterone shot in Guatemala,

[00:25:29.04]we stored it, we kept it

[00:25:31.00]and for me I think it was the greatest gift that I have received in all my life.

[00:25:40.21]I met one person

[00:25:43.09]and I fell in love with that person, that person's essence,

[00:25:47.12]but once this person started taking hormones he changed.

[00:25:50.10]He changed in every sense

[00:25:52.05]and I had to adapt to that.

[00:25:55.09]I adore him.

[00:25:57.04]Really...

[00:25:58.18]I have learned to love him.

Just the way he is.

[00:26:02.14]And I believe he also loves me

[00:26:04.28]because I can feel it.

And I hope it's always this way.

[00:26:10.19]Finally, I have something I want.

[00:26:13.20]And it's the greatest gift she has given me because

[00:26:17.24]it's a dream come true.

[00:26:21.23]Really, today, we have survived

[00:26:24.06]more than anything because of love.

[00:26:28.27]Because, up until now

[00:26:30.24]she's the person with whom I feel protected.

[00:26:39.05]She fills every void I used to have.

[00:26:44.25]She gave me the greatest gift of my life.

[00:26:57.21]I've had several girlfriends and several boyfriends,

[00:27:01.16]if you could call them that.

[00:27:03.25]But none of them ever seemed to work.

[00:27:06.13]I'd like nothing better than to be married,

[00:27:09.09]have a couple of kids jumping on top of me,

[00:27:11.28]ripping my hair out of my head.

[00:27:14.15]I'd love that. But unfortunately, it's not to be.

[00:27:21.05]I can't explain it.

[00:27:24.03]It's not the people's fault who I've been with. It's my fault.

[00:27:29.21]Because I cannot accept it.

[00:27:32.13]I know I am bisexual.

[00:27:37.20]But I don't know.

[00:27:40.00]It's very difficult.

[00:27:42.27]So rather than go with anybody else now I've resigned myself,

[00:27:47.00]I'm going to be an old, old man with no lovers or anything like that you know.

[00:27:54.10]May 24, 2019

[00:27:58.05]Most Taiwanese voted against same-sex marriage in a 2018 referendum.

[00:28:05.04]If I did not have a kid, I would not get married.

[00:28:09.26]What about you? Would you marry me?

[00:28:12.15]I would.

[00:28:12.27]Really? Why are you so silly?

[00:28:17.07]Because I want to be with you for the rest of my life.

[00:28:21.01]Can you help me to button up?

[00:28:25.21]Can I kiss you? You are the most charming person in the whole world.

[00:28:29.17]You too.

[00:28:32.07]What did you draw?

[00:28:34.11]The rainbow flag.

[00:28:42.18]We are nearly there.

[00:28:45.16]Mum is really beautiful today, right baby?

[00:28:47.24]Yes.

[00:28:48.07]You are also very beautiful today. Your braid is very beautiful.

[00:28:59.28]I feel very emotional to be able to do this today.

[00:29:09.00]Who's getting married today?

[00:29:10.05]Meow. Who's Meow?

[00:29:11.23]Cat. Cat who?

[00:29:13.26]Cat family.

[00:29:14.25]The Cat family is getting married?

[00:29:15.28]Kitten, Big Cat and Fat Cat?

[00:29:18.26]It's Kitten, Big Cat and Big Cat.

[00:29:22.10]All three of us are getting married, right?

[00:29:26.14]We will be one family. Right?

[00:29:37.09]I love you.

[00:29:38.25]Thank you so much.

[00:29:42.02]This is our marriage certificate.

[00:29:46.00]Could you, as the mayor, be kind enough to sign it for us?

[00:29:50.05]Yes.

[00:29:54.11]It is best that my daughter has legally recognised parents.

[00:29:58.09]She can proudly say that she is a child of Mum and Mummy who are a legally certified couple.

[00:30:05.15]She is protected by the same laws as any other child.

[00:30:11.14]I think we are really lucky to have a proper government.

[00:30:16.21]LGBT+ rights are facing very many challenges.

[00:30:18.14]I really hope that people who are suffering could know that

[00:30:24.15]you may be suffering now,

[00:30:27.10]but don't give up.

[00:30:35.22]The work we are doing is very critical

[00:30:37.29]

and it is very sensitive, and it is very risky.

[00:30:43.22]It is a life risk.

[00:30:47.05]We do it because it is our life.

[00:30:52.00]So, when you find out you live a life where no one wants you, or no one recognises you,

[00:30:59.15]that's not a proper way to live.

[00:31:04.26]I do hope that at the end of the day, people will understand that

[00:31:08.28]human rights are not only for straight people.

[00:31:13.28]We all deserve to be treated equally,

[00:31:17.22]regardless of whom I'm in love with, or what I'm doing in bed.

[00:31:24.26]As long as I am a human being, I deserve to be respected,

[00:31:27.10]I deserve to be protected,

[00:31:29.07]I deserve to access health services,

I deserve to be educated,

[00:31:31.22]I deserve to be employed.

[00:31:36.29]This movement has been there for long years back.

[00:31:43.02]And, for us, I think we're just in the early stages

[00:31:46.00]in terms of movement building.

[00:31:49.16]Though I very much hope that, at the end of the day,

[00:31:52.20]our government will recognise us as human beings.

[00:32:05.03]One in five people globally live in countries where it is illegal to have same-sex relationships.

[00:32:08.00]Young LGBTQ+ people are more than three times as likely to take their own lives as their straight peers.

[00:32:14.10]

With special thanks to

Carlos Eduardo Calix

Irma Damary Trochez

Amani (not real name)

Jovi Wu, Mindy Chiu and Allison Wu

Joe Ousalice

[00:32:16.21]In January 2020, the MOD apologised to Joe and on 22nd January 2020, his good contact and long service medals were returned to him at a ceremony in Portsmouth.

[00:32:21.18]

Director

Nicky Milne

Shanshan Chen

[00:32:24.28]

Director of photography

Jim Bishop

Shanshan Chen

Chih Kang Chiang

Theo Hessing

Nicky Milne

[00:32:28.21]

Editor

Tim Moss

[00:32:32.22]

Additional Editing

Gigi Wong

Anuree de Silva

Research

Amber Milne

Rachel Savage

[00:32:36.26]

Location production Honduras

Raúl M. Valdivia

Archive Research

Dora Ash Sakula

Translators

Kangdi Cheng

Raúl M. Valdivia

Whenyajing Zhang

[00:32:42.06]

Colourist

Claudio Acherri

Sound Mixer

Andrew Swallow

[00:32:45.23]

Archive

Reuters

FILM Archives, Inc.

Kinolibrary

Love is King

Cattrachas

Richard C. Wandel collection and Leonard Fink collection,

The LGBT Community Center National History Archive

[00:32:49.26]

Music

Same Love written by Mary Lambert, Ben Haggerty and Ryan Lewis.

Administered by Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

‘Intriguing Prospects’, ‘Lonely World’, ‘Thinking Of You’, ‘True Story’, ‘Agitation’,

‘Nocturne’, ‘Uneasy’, ‘Altid’, ‘Strength In Adversity’, ‘Outlook’, ‘Momento’,

‘Emerging Beauty’, ‘Beyond The Stars’, ‘Nylon’,

‘Stillness Of Water’, ‘Simple Anthem’, ‘Cloud Rise’.

[00:32:56.27]

Executive Producer

Nicky Milne

Openly Editor

Hugo Greenhalgh

TRF Editor in Chief

Belinda Goldsmith

@2019 Thomson Reuters Foundation

SRT version:

00:00:13,333 --> 00:00:21,632

On June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar.

00:00:21,633 --> 00:00:32,466

A Protest turned into a riot.

00:00:32,467 --> 00:00:35,199

The next night, thousands turned up again to protest.

00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:56,666

The Stonewall riots sparked a turning point.

00:00:56,667 --> 00:01:06,066

Within six months, two LGBT organisations and three LGBT newspapers were founded in New York.

00:01:06,067 --> 00:01:21,066

A year later, the first Pride Parades were held in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

00:01:21,067 --> 00:01:28,699

Today, for many around the world, LGBT+ rights remain under threat.

00:01:28,700 --> 00:01:34,266

The work we are doing

is very critical, it is a life risk.

00:01:34,267 --> 00:01:37,999

He was a father, how could he hurt my child this way?

00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:44,232

I was told in no uncertain terms that disgusting people like me,

00:01:44,233 --> 00:01:47,699

there was no place for them in the armed forces.

00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:49,832

Here they kill us, simply saying

00:01:49,833 --> 00:01:51,466

'You're a "faggot", you're a "dyke".

00:01:51,467 --> 00:01:59,666

We're going to kill you our of sport.'

00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:13,632

Gay sex is still illegal in 69 countries.

00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:19,266

Seven nations have the death penalty for gay sex.

00:02:19,267 --> 00:02:23,299

STONEWALL 50

00:02:23,300 --> 00:02:30,032

Where next for LGBT+ lives

00:02:30,033 --> 00:02:45,666

San Pedro Sula

Honduras

00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:49,632

I was born biologically as a woman,

00:02:49,633 --> 00:02:55,766

but my identity is male.

00:02:55,767 --> 00:03:00,266

I can't say I had a beautiful childhood.

00:03:00,267 --> 00:03:02,699

It was even worse when my breasts developed,

00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:05,266

I would ask my mum to cut them off

00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:07,266

because I didn't want to have them.

00:03:07,267 --> 00:03:10,499

I tried to find someone to help me

00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:12,799

to stop this development, but no on heard me.

00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,266

Many times I yelled,

00:03:15,267 --> 00:03:19,566

I'd say, 'I'm a man like my brothers.'

00:03:19,567 --> 00:03:22,066

Back then perhaps I didn't realise that

00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:25,866

I was self-identifying as a transsexual man.

00:03:25,867 --> 00:03:33,166

But over time you discover the person you are.

00:03:33,167 --> 00:03:37,599

EDUARDO

00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:44,166

Honduras has one of the highest murder rates ouside a war zone.

00:03:44,167 --> 00:03:45,999

The truth is that living in Honduras

00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,832

as a transsexual person, aside from the violence that

00:03:49,833 --> 00:03:51,766

we are used to already,

00:03:51,767 --> 00:03:55,432

for transsexual peoeple it's very difficult because

00:03:55,433 --> 00:04:01,299

you see two or three people dead monthly from the transsexual community,

00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:03,699

from the LGBTI community in general.

00:04:03,700 --> 00:04:06,366

They kill us here simply saying,

00:04:06,367 --> 00:04:08,766

'You are a "faggot", you're a "dyke".

00:04:08,767 --> 00:04:16,066

We're going to kill you out of sport.'

00:04:16,067 --> 00:04:22,832

There have been about 2,500 reported murders of trans and gender diverse people in Central and South America in the past decade.

00:04:22,833 --> 00:04:33,132

Human rights organisations suggest the actual figure is far higher.

00:04:33,133 --> 00:04:37,966

Honduras is a country that lacks everything.

00:04:37,967 --> 00:04:40,132

It lacks security. It lacks education.

00:04:40,133 --> 00:04:42,899

Justice turns a blind eye.

00:04:42,900 --> 00:04:47,299

The guilty go free and the innocent are imprisoned.

00:04:47,300 --> 00:05:00,232

The Honduran government reports that more than 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes go unpunished.

00:05:00,233 --> 00:05:05,132

Taoyuan City

Taiwan

00:05:05,133 --> 00:05:12,499

I run my family with my partner.

00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:19,099

Our family is quite rare in Taiwan because we are a same-sex couple with a child.

00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:25,366

You used to be a bit of a hipster, but now your style is just like a mummy.

00:05:25,367 --> 00:05:30,399

Mama, my dear mama.

00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:36,832

Because in Taiwan, it is difficult to have a test tube baby,

00:05:36,833 --> 00:05:41,699

gay people who want to do this have to go abroad.

00:05:41,700 --> 00:05:47,432

JOVI

00:05:47,433 --> 00:06:00,032

Jovi had her daughter through a sperm donor in Thailand.

00:06:00,033 --> 00:06:08,532

In Taiwan, it is not possible for same-sex partners to adopt a child unless they are married.

00:06:08,533 --> 00:06:12,732

I do worry that my child could be bullied.

00:06:12,733 --> 00:06:14,366

I want her to know that

00:06:14,367 --> 00:06:21,932

no one can hurt her just because she has two parents of the same gender.

00:06:21,933 --> 00:06:24,599

When she does face pressure and harmful comments one day,

00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,432

maybe she will be hurt at first,

00:06:27,433 --> 00:06:35,999

but she will have the strength to overcome the pain.

00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,166

I think the biggest challenge is that

00:06:37,167 --> 00:06:38,766

there is a lack of anti-discriimnation law in Taiwan.

00:06:38,767 --> 00:06:43,899

This is a serious problem.

00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:46,299

There was a middle school student,

00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:50,099

a boy, who was feminine,

00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:54,666

he was laughed at and bullied by his classmates.

00:06:54,667 --> 00:06:58,199

They said, 'You are a homosexual, so you will get AIDS.'

00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,099

Tat little boy jumped from the fourth floor.

00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:06,832

And that teacher even wrote a 'heart-warming' note saying he was silly.

00:07:06,833 --> 00:07:11,832

This is discrimination.

00:07:11,833 --> 00:07:15,799

Anti-same sex marriage demostration

December 2016

00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:20,132

What are you opposing?

We are human beings.

00:07:20,133 --> 00:07:25,199

you are fighting against my child having a family.

00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,599

People, who I would describe as homophobic,

00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:32,299

held protests and demonstrations.

00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:36,566

They protested, saying that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

00:07:36,567 --> 00:07:39,399

We brought our daughter along with us.

00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:41,432

When we got home,

00:07:41,433 --> 00:07:44,699

I posted on Facebook.

00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:46,366

And there was one father,

00:07:46,367 --> 00:07:49,566

who used the photo of my daughter without permission.

00:07:49,567 --> 00:07:50,599

He wrote,

00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:57,032

'This is the pathetic kid born of sick lesbians.'

00:07:57,033 --> 00:07:58,966

He used my daughter's photo.

00:07:58,967 --> 00:08:02,966

I was furious with him.

00:08:02,967 --> 00:08:08,799

He was a father. How could he hurt my child?

00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:15,499

If his child was hurt like this, how would he react?

00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:24,366

Why should my child be hurt like this?

00:08:24,367 --> 00:08:33,832

Undisclosed location

Tanzania

00:08:33,833 --> 00:08:35,866

My sexuality...

00:08:35,867 --> 00:08:39,332

I grew up and I come to realise

00:08:39,333 --> 00:08:44,099

I'm not attracted to having a relationship with girls,

00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:54,566

but I'm so much romantically, emotionally attracted to my fellow men.

100

00:08:54,567 --> 00:08:57,632

Due to the security situation,

101

00:08:57,633 --> 00:09:01,466

now it's not welcome for me to

identify myself openly.

102

00:09:01,467 --> 00:09:05,032

I'd love to but it will backlash on me.

103

00:09:05,033 --> 00:09:13,432

I would be at a higher risk of being attacked, abused, or even

to be put in jail.

104

00:09:13,433 --> 00:09:15,299

AMANI

105

00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:17,932

(Not his real name)

106

00:09:17,933 --> 00:09:22,732

Under Tanzanian law, consensual same-sex acts could lead to 30 years in prison.

107

00:09:22,733 --> 00:09:25,699

I am a human rights defender.

108

00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:29,399

We are defending those who are sexual minorities.

109

00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:36,099

Our government doesn't recognise LGBT people.

110

00:09:36,100 --> 00:09:41,132

And mostly, it's about religion.

111

00:09:41,133 --> 00:09:49,099

Muslim, they believe what has the Koran sasy about these people.

112

00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:52,299

So the new government' regional commission announced,

113

00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:57,166

'I don't want to see this community in my cities

114

00:09:57,167 --> 00:09:59,699

and anyone has seen those people,

115

00:09:59,700 --> 00:10:03,066

they should come to me and I'll look to arrest them.'

116

00:10:03,067 --> 00:10:06,766

So now people, they are afraid to come and look for these services.

117

00:10:06,767 --> 00:10:08,899

Some of them, they have even moved from town,

118

00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:14,266

and live in the bush area, where they feel that they are safe.

119

00:10:14,267 --> 00:10:19,332

We had clubs where it was free for any person.

120

00:10:19,333 --> 00:10:23,699

Because gay people, the way they dance is totally different from straight people.

121

00:10:23,700 --> 00:10:28,732

So we had that place where gays, they could express themselves the way they want,

122

00:10:28,733 --> 00:10:33,332

without anyone interfering or judging the way he or she dances.

123

00:10:33,333 --> 00:10:38,566

But after these changes, that club was shut down.

124

00:10:38,567 --> 00:10:40,566

It's no longer there.

125

00:10:40,567 --> 00:10:46,366

So, that's our challenge.

126

00:10:46,367 --> 00:10:55,566

Human rights groups say that since the change of government in Tanzania in 2015, policies towards LGBTQ+ people have become much more oppressive.

127

00:10:55,567 --> 00:11:09,099

Southampton

England

128

00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:13,499

I was in the navy for just under 18 years.

129

00:11:13,500 --> 00:11:15,932

I joined up in 1976.

130

00:11:15,933 --> 00:11:18,066

I had a fantastic time.

131

00:11:18,067 --> 00:11:20,966

However,

in my basic training

132

00:11:20,967 --> 00:11:27,532

it became evident within a couple of

weeks, that they didn't accept gays.

133

00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:31,866

And if anybody was caught, they'd be kicked out immediately.

134

00:11:31,867 --> 00:11:34,032

It certainly came

as a shock to me.

135

00:11:34,033 --> 00:11:38,566

Here they were telling me that I wasn't good

enough.

136

00:11:38,567 --> 00:11:42,732

Not me personally, but anybody of my nature.

137

00:11:42,733 --> 00:11:47,266

JOE

138

00:11:47,267 --> 00:11:50,099

Homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967.

139

00:11:50,100 --> 00:11:56,866

It was illegal for gay and lesbian people to serve in the armed forces until 2000.

140

00:11:56,867 --> 00:12:00,966

I haven't had a look through this for years, I haven't.

141

00:12:00,967 --> 00:12:06,599

See here, these were all the guys who I used to work with.

142

00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:11,032

They were a good bunch of lads, they were. And girls.

143

00:12:11,033 --> 00:12:12,699

I'm bisexual.

144

00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:16,732

I've always kept it to myself.

145

00:12:16,733 --> 00:12:21,732

I was aware of it from when I was about 10 years of age.

146

00:12:21,733 --> 00:12:27,166

It was just a gut feeling that I wasn't the same as everybody else.

147

00:12:27,167 --> 00:12:29,399

Well, I was living a lie.

148

00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:35,066

But I always made sure that I never did anything illegal.

149

00:12:35,067 --> 00:12:36,199

I was very careful who I went out with.

150

00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:40,966

I was very careful about what I said.

151

00:12:40,967 --> 00:12:42,632

Because the slightest thing you say wrong,

152

00:12:42,633 --> 00:12:48,132

you'd have the Special Investigation Branch shadowing you, reading your letters.

153

00:12:48,133 --> 00:12:51,966

But I was convinced that I could lead my life,

154

00:12:51,967 --> 00:12:56,232

and play along with the game.

155

00:12:56,233 --> 00:13:00,832

In 1993, Joe was accused of indecently assaulting a fellow male sailor.

156

00:13:00,833 --> 00:13:03,232

It was just a trumped up charge.

157

00:13:03,233 --> 00:13:06,732

What they said is that I'd got into bed with this guy

158

00:13:06,733 --> 00:13:10,066

and I'd touched the side of his thigh.

159

00:13:10,067 --> 00:13:12,632

And that's all there was to it.

160

00:13:12,633 --> 00:13:16,032

In the end, I was found not guilty of this charge.

161

00:13:16,033 --> 00:13:19,332

But like most charges, they always throw in a second one,

162

00:13:19,333 --> 00:13:23,966

which is conduct prejudicial to good order and naval discipline.

163

00:13:23,967 --> 00:13:27,399

And I was found guilty of this charge.

164

00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:32,699

During the case, Joe admitted his sexuality and was dismissed from the navy.

165

00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:37,999

But straight afterwards, they took me to a room.

166

00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,332

An S.A. - that's a store's assistant -

167

00:13:39,333 --> 00:13:40,899

came in with a pair of scissors,

168

00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:48,499

said, 'Sorry, mate, I need this medal,' and just cut it off my tunic.

169

00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:52,632

Left me with my Northern Ireland medal and my Falkland medal.

170

00:13:52,633 --> 00:13:54,232

But in 12 years, I'd had an unblemished history,

171

00:13:54,233 --> 00:14:08,199

and yet all that hard work I'd put in meant nothing.

172

00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,066

Here, all of us feel vulnerable.

173

00:14:11,067 --> 00:14:14,066

I have a past full of violence.

174

00:14:14,067 --> 00:14:18,366

But in one way or another, it has helped me move on.

175

00:14:18,367 --> 00:14:20,266

When I was 15, I was harrassed

176

00:14:20,267 --> 00:14:23,299

by the person who realised my identity, so to speak.

177

00:14:23,300 --> 00:14:24,899

Many times he lent me his clothes and would say,

178

00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:29,866

'Wear this shirt, wear these pants. They'll look good on you.'

179

00:14:29,867 --> 00:14:32,732

He pretended to be my best friend

180

00:14:32,733 --> 00:14:36,532

but then he began harassing me.

181

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He raped me

182

00:14:37,633 --> 00:14:44,232

along with two other people.

183

00:14:44,233 --> 00:14:47,332

I was abandoned in a creek

184

00:14:47,333 --> 00:14:48,699

with no mercy.

185

00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:50,999

I defended myself as much as I could.

186

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But they left me for dead.

187

00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,032

I don't know how to swim.

188

00:14:55,033 --> 00:14:58,999

And I remained floating in the water for a long time.

189

00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,899

I believe it was a time that

190

00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:12,166

completely tore my life apart.

191

00:15:12,167 --> 00:15:16,032

Trans men are more invisible than women.

192

00:15:16,033 --> 00:15:18,899

We are, I think, the last group to be discovered,

193

00:15:18,900 --> 00:15:21,132

so to speak, or to come to light.

194

00:15:21,133 --> 00:15:24,332

I felt alone on the field.

195

00:15:24,333 --> 00:15:27,332

And I wondered, 'Am I the only transexual man?'

196

00:15:27,333 --> 00:15:33,699

Everybody else, where are they?

What do I do?'

197

00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:40,366

I haven't had a formal job for around six years.

198

00:15:40,367 --> 00:15:42,899

There isn't gender identity legislation in Honduras

199

00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:45,999

that guarantees that I can have a job opportunity.

200

00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:48,432

The ID card represents an obstacle.

201

00:15:48,433 --> 00:15:52,832

This is an ID card in Honduras.

202

00:15:52,833 --> 00:15:56,466

It's the first thing an employer will look at.

203

00:15:56,467 --> 00:15:59,799

They see a female name and a masculine face.

204

00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,166

So they don't match when you're going for a job.

205

00:16:02,167 --> 00:16:05,799

Discrimination then increases.

206

00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,732

They say, 'He's a person from the LGBTI community.'

207

00:16:08,733 --> 00:16:09,999

That's a huge disadvantage,

208

00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:17,432

and leads to my resume ending up in the bin.

209

00:16:17,433 --> 00:16:21,632

Thank God, my partner supports me one way or another

210

00:16:21,633 --> 00:16:23,699

in everything that I need,

211

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unlike many others who have nothing.

212

00:16:26,233 --> 00:16:29,299

Many are forced into drugs,

213

00:16:29,300 --> 00:16:34,032

others get involved with gangs.

214

00:16:34,033 --> 00:16:46,599

That's another way many comrades from the trans community die.

215

00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:48,899

I go out onto the streets, I talk about problems

216

00:16:48,900 --> 00:16:51,132

with people from the LGBTI community.

217

00:16:51,133 --> 00:16:53,832

I believe many young people now

218

00:16:53,833 --> 00:16:56,766

are killing themselves for problems they have.

219

00:16:56,767 --> 00:16:59,499

Teaching a person that they're not alone

220

00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:10,199

provides them with that motivation to continue living.

221

00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,399

What are you scared of?

222

00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,799

Mockery. Because we're in a country where they bully you for anything.

223

00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,532

Perhaps other countries are more open and nicer,

224

00:17:19,533 --> 00:17:22,432

because the laws are different,

225

00:17:22,433 --> 00:17:27,866

it's another way of life, that I hope to know one day.

226

00:17:27,867 --> 00:17:29,332

Luis, have you ever thought

227

00:17:29,333 --> 00:17:32,432

of doing sex work?

228

00:17:32,433 --> 00:17:33,999

There was a time that I did.

229

00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,399

Yes, I was going to do it.

230

00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:41,966

But I had a goal and I said, 'No.'

231

00:17:41,967 --> 00:17:45,132

Many friends encouraged me to do it

232

00:17:45,133 --> 00:17:47,332

and because you're desperate sometimes you feel like you want to.

233

00:17:47,333 --> 00:17:47,666

Yes.

234

00:17:47,667 --> 00:18:00,432

I'd like to be loved and to love and to be able to count on someone.

235

00:18:00,433 --> 00:18:02,799

At that time, the guard says, 'Wait a moment.

236

00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:05,899

There is still another princess.

237

00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:11,966

Let's welcome Princess Madeleine and her older brother, Prince Lee.'

238

00:18:11,967 --> 00:18:16,766

And the prince suddenly has a crush.

239

00:18:16,767 --> 00:18:22,866

But on whom? He's in love.

240

00:18:22,867 --> 00:18:25,132

In western countries, there are many picture books about gender equality,

241

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which can let kids know

242

00:18:26,967 --> 00:18:29,532

that some kids come from families with same-sex parents.

243

00:18:29,533 --> 00:18:32,699

But in Taiwan such books are rare,

244

00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:35,999

so the work I'm doing now and the stories that I'm trying to popularise

245

00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:40,732

aim to let kids know that every family is equal.

246

00:18:40,733 --> 00:18:44,232

Let's see who he had a crush on.

247

00:18:44,233 --> 00:18:47,066

'Oh my goodness, what a prince!'

248

00:18:47,067 --> 00:18:49,099

He had a crush for the first time.

249

00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:52,699

And everything else just turned into pink bubbles.

250

00:18:52,700 --> 00:18:55,532

Then they fell deeply in love

251

00:18:55,533 --> 00:19:08,766

and held a special wedding.

252

00:19:08,767 --> 00:19:13,899

ID cards in Taiwan have the names of mothers and fathers printed on them.

253

00:19:13,900 --> 00:19:16,566

My daughter found my ID card and asked me what was on it.

254

00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:25,099

So we tried to turn it into a story, 'This is your grandfather and grandmother.'

255

00:19:25,100 --> 00:19:29,299

Then she asked me, 'Will my ID card have both my mums' names on it?'

256

00:19:29,300 --> 00:19:33,132

I thought about it and I just felt so upset, and said, 'Maybe not.'

257

00:19:33,133 --> 00:19:37,499

But she said she really wanted to have both mothers' names on her ID card.

258

00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:40,932

I was moved.

259

00:19:40,933 --> 00:19:45,466

We didn't expect things to be like this.

260

00:19:45,467 --> 00:20:02,232

We thought we had built a family and that life would be simple.

261

00:20:02,233 --> 00:20:09,332

Then we tried to talk to and gain support from those who can change the law,

262

00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:11,932

and explained our situation.

263

00:20:11,933 --> 00:20:16,532

We didn't do this just so that we could get married.

264

00:20:16,533 --> 00:20:21,032

I think marriage sucks.

265

00:20:21,033 --> 00:20:24,499

In Asia, marriage is not just a union between you and another person.

266

00:20:24,500 --> 00:20:28,099

It is a union of two families -- super-scary.

267

00:20:28,100 --> 00:20:29,466

I don't love her parents at all.

268

00:20:29,467 --> 00:20:32,999

I love my partner, but I don't love her parents.

269

00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:35,266

But because we have our kid, we want to get married.

270

00:20:35,267 --> 00:20:37,466

We want to give her a better chance in life.

271

00:20:37,467 --> 00:20:41,132

Our dream is that we can adopt our child.

272

00:20:41,133 --> 00:20:48,832

This is just a step for us.

273

00:20:48,833 --> 00:20:52,199

In 2017, Taiwan's constitutional court ruled that parliament must legalise same-sex marriage within two years.

274

00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:59,666

Jove and Mindy intend to take over vows on the date the law comes into effect.

275

00:20:59,667 --> 00:21:02,266

The day I was discharged

276

00:21:02,267 --> 00:21:06,299

I went back home. I'm sat in an empty house.

277

00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:10,732

I had no friends down there because all my friends were in the armed forces.

278

00:21:10,733 --> 00:21:13,499

So I had no one I could talk to.

279

00:21:13,500 --> 00:21:15,432

I felt so lonely

280

00:21:15,433 --> 00:21:18,466

and isolated, it was unbelievable.

281

00:21:18,467 --> 00:21:23,599

I had no money coming in. I had a mortgage hanging round my neck.

282

00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,799

And I didn't know which way to turn.

283

00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:32,299

In the end, I resorted to going into farmers' fields and nicking potatoes and cabbages.

284

00:21:32,300 --> 00:21:34,932

So it took its toll on me and I ended up

285

00:21:34,933 --> 00:21:38,999

something like £15,000 ($19,000) in debt.

286

00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:43,466

It took me up to 10 years to sort my life out.

287

00:21:43,467 --> 00:21:46,799

I appealed against it.

288

00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:48,699

At least I wanted my medal back.

289

00:21:48,700 --> 00:21:52,166

And my badges and my rank.

290

00:21:52,167 --> 00:21:56,232

In the end, it has a wider scope because

291

00:21:56,233 --> 00:22:00,732

had they not discharged me, I would have got a full pension.

292

00:22:00,733 --> 00:22:03,699

Given that they dismissed me,

293

00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:06,966

it meant that I had to wait a further 17 years

294

00:22:06,967 --> 00:22:09,899

before I got a reduced pension.

295

00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:14,766

I don't want compensation. All I want is what justly is mine.

296

00:22:14,767 --> 00:22:19,232

I have been fighting now for 25 years since 1993.

297

00:22:19,233 --> 00:22:22,166

My way of thinking is that until my very last breath

298

00:22:22,167 --> 00:22:24,266

I will fight them

299

00:22:24,267 --> 00:22:28,532

because it's a just cause.

300

00:22:28,533 --> 00:22:32,266

And I'm not going to give in to them.

301

00:22:32,267 --> 00:22:35,166

I will get the medal back. Trust me.

302

00:22:35,167 --> 00:22:39,532

Either that or else I'll snuff it.

303

00:22:39,533 --> 00:22:49,899

A spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Defence said:

'We are currently looking at how personnel discharged from service because of their sexuality, or now abolished sexual offences, can have their medals returned.'

304

00:22:49,900 --> 00:22:52,632

I have been going through a lot.

305

00:22:52,633 --> 00:22:57,266

It reached a point where my brother chased me out of the family.

306

00:22:57,267 --> 00:23:03,366

Then from that, I think, I have a potential thing to do for my community,

307

00:23:03,367 --> 00:23:06,232

who are suffering like I have suffered.

308

00:23:06,233 --> 00:23:11,332

I started looking at what LGBT means, what human rights mean,

309

00:23:11,333 --> 00:23:16,599

for me to be able to empower myself before I engaged fully in this movement.

310

00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:21,199

Amani runs an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ people in Tanzania.

311

00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,299

We empower the community to know their rights, first.

312

00:23:25,300 --> 00:23:27,432

To understand, when someone comes to arrest me,

313

00:23:27,433 --> 00:23:30,166

I should ask first, 'Who are you, and why are you arresting me?'

314

00:23:30,167 --> 00:23:33,832

To minimise being abused, something like that.

315

00:23:33,833 --> 00:23:39,432

The organisation is under investigation by the police.

316

00:23:39,433 --> 00:23:44,999

Police raided the offices, with the accusation that we are promoting homosexuality.

317

00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,832

The word 'promotion' is unidentified,

318

00:23:47,833 --> 00:23:51,166

because for us, we do not see that we are doing promotion.

319

00:23:51,167 --> 00:23:55,299

We are not recruiting people to become a gay person.

320

00:23:55,300 --> 00:24:00,199

I explained to them, 'I'm not doing any illegal work.

321

00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:03,066

What I do is under constitution.'

322

00:24:03,067 --> 00:24:07,232

Our government also has developed some documents on how to work with these groups,

323

00:24:07,233 --> 00:24:11,666

because they are HIV high-risk prevalence.

324

00:24:11,667 --> 00:24:14,199

There is confusion.

325

00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:19,966

On the programme, they do work with these communities.

326

00:24:19,967 --> 00:24:38,732

Amani is still awaiting the outcome of the investigation and to hear whether he faces prison.

327

00:24:38,733 --> 00:24:41,766

This is a beach in Omoa.

328

00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:44,166

We like to come here because it is safe.

329

00:24:44,167 --> 00:24:48,832

Here, we aren't afraid of being assaulted or being beaten.

330

00:24:48,833 --> 00:24:51,999

Or abused because of the way they might look at us.

331

00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,299

I can swim at ease here.

332

00:24:54,300 --> 00:25:05,466

I can take off my clothes without being afraid that something might happen to me.

333

00:25:05,467 --> 00:25:08,399

The relationship with my partner isn't easy.

334

00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,166

We have adapted.

335

00:25:10,167 --> 00:25:12,199

Although it hasn't been easy at all for her.

336

00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:15,032

Because, like I said, she's a lesbian.

337

00:25:15,033 --> 00:25:18,899

But she said, 'Well, I love you

338

00:25:18,900 --> 00:25:22,999

and I love you as you are.

339

00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:26,199

I'll make your dream come true.'

340

00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:29,132

She purchased my first testosterone shot in Guatemala,

341

00:25:29,133 --> 00:25:30,999

we stored it, we kept it

342

00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:40,699

and for me I think it was the greatest gift that I have received in all my life.

343

00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:43,299

I met one person

344

00:25:43,300 --> 00:25:47,399

and I fell in love with that person, that person's essence,

345

00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,332

but once this person started taking hormones he changed.

346

00:25:50,333 --> 00:25:52,166

He changed in every sense

347

00:25:52,167 --> 00:25:55,299

and I had to adapt to that.

348

00:25:55,300 --> 00:25:57,132

I adore him.

349

00:25:57,133 --> 00:25:58,599

Really...

350

00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:02,466

I have learned to love him.

Just the way he is.

351

00:26:02,467 --> 00:26:04,932

And I believe he also loves me

352

00:26:04,933 --> 00:26:10,632

because I can feel it.

And I hope it's always this way.

353

00:26:10,633 --> 00:26:13,666

Finally, I have something I want.

354

00:26:13,667 --> 00:26:17,799

And it's the greatest gift she has given me because

355

00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,766

it's a dream come true.

356

00:26:21,767 --> 00:26:24,199

Really, today, we have survived

357

00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:28,899

more than anything because of love.

358

00:26:28,900 --> 00:26:30,799

Because, up until now

359

00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:39,166

she's the person with whom I feel protected.

360

00:26:39,167 --> 00:26:44,832

She fills every void I used to have.

361

00:26:44,833 --> 00:26:57,699

She gave me the greatest gift of my life.

362

00:26:57,700 --> 00:27:01,532

I've had several girlfriends and several boyfriends,

363

00:27:01,533 --> 00:27:03,832

if you could call them that.

364

00:27:03,833 --> 00:27:06,432

But none of them ever seemed to work.

365

00:27:06,433 --> 00:27:09,299

I'd like nothing better than to be married,

366

00:27:09,300 --> 00:27:11,932

have a couple of kids jumping on top of me,

367

00:27:11,933 --> 00:27:14,499

ripping my hair out of my head.

368

00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:21,166

I'd love that. But unfortunately, it's not to be.

369

00:27:21,167 --> 00:27:24,099

I can't explain it.

370

00:27:24,100 --> 00:27:29,699

It's not the people's fault who I've been with. It's my fault.

371

00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:32,432

Because I cannot accept it.

372

00:27:32,433 --> 00:27:37,666

I know I am bisexual.

373

00:27:37,667 --> 00:27:39,999

But I don't know.

374

00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:42,899

It's very difficult.

375

00:27:42,900 --> 00:27:46,999

So rather than go with anybody else now I've resigned myself,

376

00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:54,332

I'm going to be an old, old man with no lovers or anything like that you know.

377

00:27:54,333 --> 00:27:58,166

May 24, 2019

378

00:27:58,167 --> 00:28:05,132

Most Taiwanese voted against same-sex marriage in a 2018 referendum.

379

00:28:05,133 --> 00:28:09,866

If I did not have a kid, I would not get married.

380

00:28:09,867 --> 00:28:12,499

What about you? Would you marry me?

381

00:28:12,500 --> 00:28:12,899

I would.

382

00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:17,232

Really? Why are you so silly?

383

00:28:17,233 --> 00:28:21,032

Because I want to be with you for the rest of my life.

384

00:28:21,033 --> 00:28:25,699

Can you help me to button up?

385

00:28:25,700 --> 00:28:29,566

Can I kiss you? You are the most charming person in the whole world.

386

00:28:29,567 --> 00:28:32,232

You too.

387

00:28:32,233 --> 00:28:34,366

What did you draw?

388

00:28:34,367 --> 00:28:42,599

The rainbow flag.

389

00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:45,532

We are nearly there.

390

00:28:45,533 --> 00:28:47,799

Mum is really beautiful today, right baby?

391

00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:48,232

Yes.

392

00:28:48,233 --> 00:28:59,932

You are also very beautiful today. Your braid is very beautiful.

393

00:28:59,933 --> 00:29:08,999

I feel very emotional to be able to do this today.

394

00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:10,166

Who's getting married today?

395

00:29:10,167 --> 00:29:11,766

Meow. Who's Meow?

396

00:29:11,767 --> 00:29:13,866

Cat. Cat who?

397

00:29:13,867 --> 00:29:14,832

Cat family.

398

00:29:14,833 --> 00:29:15,932

The Cat family is getting married?

399

00:29:15,933 --> 00:29:18,866

Kitten, Big Cat and Fat Cat?

400

00:29:18,867 --> 00:29:22,332

It's Kitten, Big Cat and Big Cat.

401

00:29:22,333 --> 00:29:26,466

All three of us are getting married, right?

402

00:29:26,467 --> 00:29:37,299

We will be one family. Right?

403

00:29:37,300 --> 00:29:38,832

I love you.

404

00:29:38,833 --> 00:29:42,066

Thank you so much.

405

00:29:42,067 --> 00:29:45,999

This is our marriage certificate.

406

00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:50,166

Could you, as the mayor, be kind enough to sign it for us?

407

00:29:50,167 --> 00:29:54,366

Yes.

408

00:29:54,367 --> 00:29:58,299

It is best that my daughter has legally recognised parents.

409

00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:05,499

She can proudly say that she is a child of Mum and Mummy who are a legally certified couple.

410

00:30:05,500 --> 00:30:11,466

She is protected by the same laws as any other child.

411

00:30:11,467 --> 00:30:16,699

I think we are really lucky to have a proper government.

412

00:30:16,700 --> 00:30:18,466

LGBT+ rights are facing very many challenges.

413

00:30:18,467 --> 00:30:24,499

I really hope that people who are suffering could know that

414

00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:27,332

you may be suffering now,

415

00:30:27,333 --> 00:30:35,732

but don't give up.

416

00:30:35,733 --> 00:30:37,966

The work we are doing is very critical

417

00:30:37,967 --> 00:30:43,732

and it is very sensitive, and it is very risky.

418

00:30:43,733 --> 00:30:47,166

It is a life risk.

419

00:30:47,167 --> 00:30:51,999

We do it because it is our life.

420

00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:59,499

So, when you find out you live a life where no one wants you, or no one recognises you,

421

00:30:59,500 --> 00:31:04,866

that's not a proper way to live.

422

00:31:04,867 --> 00:31:08,932

I do hope that at the end of the day, people will understand that

423

00:31:08,933 --> 00:31:13,932

human rights are not only for straight people.

424

00:31:13,933 --> 00:31:17,732

We all deserve to be treated equally,

425

00:31:17,733 --> 00:31:24,866

regardless of whom I'm in love with, or what I'm doing in bed.

426

00:31:24,867 --> 00:31:27,332

As long as I am a human being, I deserve to be respected,

427

00:31:27,333 --> 00:31:29,232

I deserve to be protected,

428

00:31:29,233 --> 00:31:31,732

I deserve to access health services,

I deserve to be educated,

429

00:31:31,733 --> 00:31:36,966

I deserve to be employed.

430

00:31:36,967 --> 00:31:43,066

This movement has been there for long years back.

431

00:31:43,067 --> 00:31:45,999

And, for us, I think we're just in the early stages

432

00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,532

in terms of movement building.

433

00:31:49,533 --> 00:31:52,666

Though I very much hope that, at the end of the day,

434

00:31:52,667 --> 00:32:05,099

our government will recognise us as human beings.

435

00:32:05,100 --> 00:32:07,999

One in five people globally live in countries where it is illegal to have same-sex relationships.

436

00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:14,332

Young LGBTQ+ people are more than three times as likely to take their own lives as their straight peers.

437

00:32:14,333 --> 00:32:16,699

With special thanks to

Carlos Eduardo Calix

Irma Damary Trochez

Amani (not real name)

Jovi Wu, Mindy Chiu and Allison Wu

Joe Ousalice

438

00:32:16,700 --> 00:32:21,599

In January 2020, the MOD apologised to Joe and on 22nd January 2020, his good contact and long service medals were returned to him at a ceremony in Portsmouth.

439

00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:24,932

Director

Nicky Milne

Shanshan Chen

440

00:32:24,933 --> 00:32:28,699

Director of photography

Jim Bishop

Shanshan Chen

Chih Kang Chiang

Theo Hessing

Nicky Milne

441

00:32:28,700 --> 00:32:32,732

Editor

Tim Moss

442

00:32:32,733 --> 00:32:36,866

Additional Editing

Gigi Wong

Anuree de Silva

Research

Amber Milne

Rachel Savage

443

00:32:36,867 --> 00:32:42,199

Location production Honduras

Raúl M. Valdivia

Archive Research

Dora Ash Sakula

Translators

Kangdi Cheng

Raúl M. Valdivia

Whenyajing Zhang

444

00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:45,766

Colourist

Claudio Acherri

Sound Mixer

Andrew Swallow

445

00:32:45,767 --> 00:32:49,866