Commentary

Economist Plans Global LGBT Conference

The Economist is preparing to launch a new global conference about LGBT rights, spanning the social, legal, and commercial implications of campaigns in various parts of the world -- from developed countries in the west, where public opinion about issues like gay marriage seems recently to have passed a tipping point, to emerging markets in Africa and Asia, where social acceptance remains rare and attitudes towards LGBT individuals are often openly hostile.

The conference, titled “Pride and Prejudice” with The Economist’s customary wit, will be a rolling event that takes place over 24 hours in three cities around the world on March 3, 2016 -- beginning in Hong Kong, then moving to London, and finishing in New York. Conversations between locations will be linked via live video sessions, as policy makers and top executives address the major challenges presented by each region for LGBT rights, and discuss the tactics and strategies needed to advance them, including litigation, legislation, diplomacy, and business practices.

According to Elena Sukacheva, The Economist’s senior vice president for content marketing and events, “Pride and Prejudice” differs from other conferences about LGBT rights in that it targets “allies,” including corporations that have staked out a public stance in support of LGBT rights, and will include discussion of ways market forces can be harnessed to advance LGBT causes in the developing world. For example, African countries with laws criminalizing homosexuality might be persuaded to adopt a more tolerant legal regime by investors who link investment to LGBT causes.   

Sukacheva explained The Economist’s market-led philosophy: “The main change will be driven by economic prospects. When big multinationals come in and support those values, the change will come slowly but surely, as the governments of conservative countries see there is economic benefit.”

Of course LGBT individuals still confront plenty of obstacles in developed countries. Thus the conference will also address the issues that LGBT individuals still face even in generally supportive corporate environments -- for example the “glass closet” phenomenon, in which top execs still fear revealing this part of their identity because of lingering intolerance in the C suite. 

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