Goodhart Discourse Of Human Rights Summary

This week readings focus on sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights (Goodhart 2016: 182). Goodhart examines how “human rights language and discourse have been powerful tools to address discrimination, marginalization, and persecution of oppressed people” (183). More specifically, he examines how different groups, such as the LGBTI have gathered to enable themselves to begin a discourse on ensuring human rights (183). Goodhart discusses the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) as human rights that need to be included in the human rights discourse (183). Special rights should be provided to LGBTI people and women because they belong to vulnerable groups where their rights are often dismissed or infringed (184). Out of the two
Robinson emphasized that the needs and interests of women should be addressed, especially those who are among developing countries (170). Another example would the international LGBTI organization who also relied on the discourse of human rights to promote the recognition of their rights (Goodhart 2016: 186). The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) engaged in human rights advocacy through the discourse of advancing human rights for everyone (186). Goodhart also notes that sexual orientation and gender identity is closely linked with other factors such as race and ethnicity. Thus, resulting in a need to protect the rights of sexual minorities. Robinson and Goodhart provide that human rights can be used as a tool for empowerment (Robinson 2003: 173; Goodhart 2016: 188). Robinson affirms the “feminism is not a homogenous movement” and that “women’s groups have made, and will continue to make use of rights in many different ways” (Robinson 2003: 173). This is important crucial to SOGI human rights because it demonstrates the diversity of