Hate crimes, hate speeches and discrimination still exist, and while these problems are still lurking, the vigilance continues. A high rating in the Rainbow index does not mean that the LGBTQ community can let its guard down. The road to gender equality is still under construction. They consider themselves lucky to be living in a gay-friendly country.īut there are still challenges to face. Tuling and Kanuga prove that successful integration in a foreign country is possible regardless of race or gender. When it comes to getting benefits, an education or a job, not knowing Danish is something that is frowned upon and can hold you back,” Kanuga affirms. While English is widely spoken in the country, companies and schools put high premium and importance on learning the language. Language also plays a crucial role if you want to integrate in Danish society. Your opinion counts just as equally as that of a white heterosexual man,” Kanuga explains. If you’re brown and gay, don’t be afraid to speak your mind, because you have equal rights. “Don’t be afraid of asserting your identity. They are very keen to understand how things are in India,” he says.įor Kanuga the secret to a successful transition is not that difficult it’s about being yourself.
I would not have been able to come out in a hostile environment. Having lived in London and Aarhus for several years, he realised a more liberal society has helped him to better understand and accept his sexuality. Back in India, coming out proved to be difficult for Kanuga, who constantly had to battle self-hate and fear of prejudice in society. All this points to inequality,” says Saeed.Īs the Danish LGBTQ community faces its own multiple challenges in society, immersion and transition can prove to be even more difficult for gay foreigners and refugees.īut there is always a way to cope. Sameer Kanuga originally hails from Mumbai, but is now a Global Brand Manager working in Denmark.
“Even though there is a general tolerance for LGBTQ, there is a still a big difference in the living conditions of the LGBTQ community compared to heterosexuals. Surveying 8,500 Danes, the study’s overall findings noted that “non-heterosexual Danes reported higher degrees of sexual and/or psycho-social distress than heterosexuals.” Only one in every 12 heterosexual people surveyed considered suicide. In a study conducted by the National Institute of Public Health, one in three lesbian or bisexual women experienced sexual violence, while one in five have considered suicide. The LGBTQ community is also more prone to be abused than heterosexual men or women. Another problem is that not many people come forward to report them,” Saeed says. At the same time, LGBT Filipinos are still being murdered with 28. Police are not sensitive enough to recognise these issues. In the Philippines, the grouping Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT). “It is hard to get a structure to recognise hate crimes.