The geopolitical and economic implications of LGBT inclusion

How are LGBT claims shaping geopolitics and international relations? The queer discussion has also become geopolitical and economic. Some analysts are wondering if LGBT inclusion may be related to color revolutions.

According to Ryan Thoreson: “As states mobilize popular sentiment, diplomatic pressure, and foreign aid over the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons, it is no longer tenable to argue that LGBTQ issues are inconsequential in global affairs”. In defense of a democratic account of human rights, the LGBT agenda is now one of the key pillars of western foreign policy. Until the 1990s, being gay or queer was still considered a disease in the Western World. But since then, things have changed quite a lot.

In 2017, the World Economic Forum addressed the issue of LGBT rights. The benefits of the approval of equal marriage and the decriminalization of same-sex relationships were highlighted. The implementation of LGBT-inclusive policies and legislation attracts foreign investment and retains LGBT talent. According to Antonio Zappula: “countries where such policies do not exist are missing out: the World Bank estimates India is losing $32 billion a year in economic output precisely because of widespread discrimination against LGBT people.”