Out in the World: A Global Gay History: Episode 4 (Radio 3)

In this final episode of BBC Radio 3's landmark series telling the global story of gay identity, Richard Coles focuses on the recent history which has seen western societies change dramatically in their attitudes to same sex relationships. This self-proclaimed enlightenment is however now being used as a measure of human rights across the globe. That creates enormous tension, given that some countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa and with a predominantly Muslim culture, see this attitude as neo-colonial. Richard talks to gay rights activists in Egypt, Greece, China, India and the United States about their interpretation of these changing attitudes. He also hears from those debating whether or not gay identity is really an effective way of moving forward in the face of the apparent impasse between human rights and religious and cultural beliefs. Producer: Tom Alban.