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Stephen Brown

@stephenbrown.bsky.social

500 followers 280 following 25 posts

Professor of Political Science at the University of Ottawa / Professeur de science politique à l'Université d'Ottawa. He/him/il. https://stephenbrown.xyz

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · Aug 13

At a time when LGBTQI+ rights are under attack around the world, some countries are decriminalizing same-sex relations. My analysis of the case of Mauritius is now available on the Politics, Groups, and Identities journal website. Free to download. 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🌍 doi.org/10.1080/2156...

Journal article "Escaping the multicultural trap: strategic: litigation and the decriminalization of same-sex relations in Mauritius", by Stephen Brown, University of Ottawa. Abstract: Mauritius is widely praised for policies that have minimized tensions between ethno-religious groups. Other types of groups, however, are excluded from that sociopolitical ordering of society. In particular, LGBTQI+ Mauritians have long been stigmatized and criminalized by an anti-sodomy law, enacted by the British colonial administration. Despite a reputation for a strong commitment to human rights, the Mauritian government never repealed that law. Drawing in large part on interviews with LGBTQI+ activists in Mauritius, this article analyzes how and why they challenged that anti-sodomy law in court, what they achieved and what the implications are. It argues that the state’s and political parties’ emphasis on traditional cultures made it difficult to convince the government to act, leaving strategic litigation as the best option for getting LGBTQI+ rights recognized. Grounded primarily in constitutionally guaranteed rights and harnessing support from international nonstate actors, their court cases succeeded in carving out greater space for LGBTQI+ rights within the conservative multicultural framework, even though the verdict was rather limited in scope. Significant pressure will be needed to achieve more political and social change, potentially including more strategic litigation, which poses a significant challenge to LGBTQI+ activists.

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Dr. Kristopher Wells @drkristopherwells.bsky.social · 4d

Sign the new House of Commons e-petition calling on the Government of Canada to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ people worldwide and reaffirm Canada’s role as a safe haven.

Thank you to MP Rob Oliphant for sponsoring this important petition.

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

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Politics, Groups and Identities @pgi-wpsa.bsky.social · Aug 21

📢 Brown examines how LGBTQI+ activists in Mauritius challenged colonial-era sodomy laws through strategic litigation, pushing for rights in a system that celebrates multiculturalism but marginalizes queerness.

🔗 Read more: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Escaping the multicultural trap: strategic litigation and the decriminalization of same-sex relations in Mauritius

Mauritius is widely praised for policies that have minimized tensions between ethno-religious groups. Other types of groups, however, are excluded from that sociopolitical ordering of society. In p...

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Stephen Brown

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · Aug 19

Wanting something new to listen to? 🎉
Our Global Politics and Development WG convenors Melita Lazell and Ivica Pertrikova have a podcast series - Global Aid Rethink! 🌎

Ft: @tamsinbradley.bsky.social @jacktaggart.bsky.social @stephenbrown.bsky.social & more 🌟

Find all eps here 👉

Global Politics and Development Articles

Our aim is to assemble a community of scholars who research and/or teach on issues of politics and ‘development’. The group seeks to foster critical reflection on the concept of 'development', with…

buff.ly

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Reposted by Stephen Brown, Richard Price, Stuart J. Turnbull‐Dugarte

APSA @apsa.bsky.social · Aug 8

Phillip Ayoub and Kristina Stoeckl Receive the 2025 Sage/CQ Press Award for “The Global Fight Against LGBTI Rights”

The Sage/CQ Press Award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) to honor both research-based projects and those that may involve activism that has…

Phillip Ayoub and Kristina Stoeckl Receive the 2025 Sage/CQ Press Award for “The Global Fight Against LGBTI Rights”

The Sage/CQ Press Award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) to honor both research-based projects and those that may involve activism that has focused on advancing social justice and addressing inequality and inequity in society. Citation from the Award Committee: This is a scholarly intervention in the literature on LGBTQI rights that is on the level of the contributions of scholars such as Barrington Moore and Theda Skocpol.

politicalsciencenow.com

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Yourqueerprof @drcompton.bsky.social · Jun 12

#MorningReads There are at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints’ lives from the early centuries of Christianity & at least 3 gained widespread popularity in medieval Europe: St. Eugenia, St. Euphrosyne and St. Marinos. #translivesmatter #notallchristiansareantitrans #transpride

Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today

There are at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints’ lives, three of which had widespread popularity in medieval Europe.

theconversation.com

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LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · Jun 7

The #UK government is U-turning on its campaign promise to raise #ForeignAid to 0.7%t of GNI & will instead cut it to 0.3%.

Is this rebranding of aid as charity an attempt to dodge international responsibility?

@glorianovovic.bsky.social‬ @lsegender.bsky.social‬ for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social‬

The Government rebranded aid as charity to dodge international responsibility - British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government's new framing of foreign aid as charity is a gross misrepresentation of the UK's domestic and international commitments

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · May 27

‪🌟 The second week of 'Global Aid Rethink' podcast from our Global Politics and Development convenors is out now! 🌟

Looking at how aid operates as soft — and sometimes hard — power w/
@stephenbrown.bsky.social‬ and Rose Worden 🎉

Check it out! -

Global Aid Rethink - Episode 2- Global Politics and Development | BISA

- Global Politics and Development Working Group

buff.ly

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · May 26

Want to propose a paper for a panel on "Sexual and gender minorities, humanitarian action and the Triple Nexus" at the World Humanitarian Studies Conference? Submit an abstract online. The panel will be in Bergen (Norway), Oct. 15-17. conference.ihsa.info/proposed-pan... #IHSAConference2025 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

Sexual and gender minorities, humanitarian action and the Triple Nexus - IHSA Conference

The International Humanitarian Studies Association is a network engaged with the study of humanitarian crises caused by natural disaster, conflict or political instability.

conference.ihsa.info

Reposted by Stephen Brown

Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · May 23

Canada’s creation of a Secretary of State for international development doesn’t appear to be legal. S4 of the DFATD Act that created the department says a Minister must be appointed laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/f-2...

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · May 8

I was a guest on the Global Aid Rethink podcast, talking about international power relationships and the recent shocks to the foreign aid system. You can have a listen to our conversation at open.spotify.com/episode/7JAH... or podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

Global Aid Rethink: Aid as Soft Power

Global Aid Rethink · Episode

open.spotify.com

Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · May 3

I wouldn’t call the Liberals under Mark Carney “centre left”, notably for their immigration and climate policies

Reposted by Stephen Brown

CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · Apr 24

📢New blog by @stephenbrown.bsky.social - Election 2025: What are the Parties Saying About Foreign Aid?

The recent turmoil in Washington has reshaped Canada’s 2025 election campaign, driving fundamental discussions on how Canada should position itself in the world... 🔗https://bit.ly/42MKJbp

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Dale Smith @journodale.bsky.social · Apr 23

New column from me at @xtramagazine.com: Where are the gays in the federal party platforms? #canqueer #cdnpoli

Where are the gays in the federal party platforms? | Xtra Magazine

OPINION: All three major English party platforms offer thin gruel for queer and trans Canadians

xtramagazine.com

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · Apr 23

With Canada's federal election less than a week away, where do the various political parties stand on foreign aid and what should we expect once the winner is declared? For my answers to those questions, check out my new blog post. www.mcleodgroup.ca/2025/04/elec...

Election 2025: What are the parties saying about foreign aid? - The McLeod Group

McLeod Group blog by Stephen Brown, April 23, 2025 The recent turmoil in Washington has reshaped Canada’s 2025 election campaign, driving fundamental discussions on how Canada should position itself i...

www.mcleodgroup.ca

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Reposted by Kristof Titeca

Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · Apr 16

My article on "Global Frictions: Foreign Aid, Donor–Recipient Relations and LGBT+ Rights in Tanzania" has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of International Development. You can download the PDF here (open access). 🌍 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ #LGBTQResearch
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

ABSTRACT: In 2018, a Tanzanian government official announced a crackdown on homosexuality. International actors rapidly expressed their disapproval and temporarily suspended some foreign aid, which elicited a negative response from the Tanzanian government and soured donor–recipient relations. The incident was short-lived, however, and expressed mainly at the symbolic level and does not appear to have achieved any change in policies or practices either among the donors or in Tanzania. How should one interpret this sudden eruption of frictions and its lack of impact and what are its implications? I argue that international actors felt pressure to take quick, visible action, regardless of how ineffective those steps could be expected to be. Politicians from Tanzania's ruling party seized this occasion to ramp up anti-LGBT+ and anti-donor rhetoric, attempting to strengthen their standing domestically. Both sides used the opportunity to express their identity as either defenders or opponents of LGBT+ rights. This case shows how donor–recipient frictions can be primarily performative and reflect both sides' desire to please their own constituencies without implementing any lasting changes to aid flows or domestic policy in the recipient country.

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Dylan Robertson @withfilesfrom.bsky.social · Apr 13

Federal parties have different proposals on foreign aid — and clashing notions about how Canada's development and humanitarian dollars are being spent now.

My article: What do Canada's political leaders want to do with foreign aid? ca.news.yahoo.com/canadas-poli... with @stephenbrown.bsky.social

What do Canada's political leaders want to do with foreign aid?

OTTAWA — Federal parties have different proposals on foreign aid — and clashing notions about how Canada's development and humanitarian dollars are being spent now.

ca.news.yahoo.com

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · Apr 12

Great overview of the current state of democracy in Africa by Frances Z. Brown (no relation) 🗳️ 🌍 @carnegieendowment.org carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

The Four Big Questions Shaping Democracy in Africa

Africa’s democratic trajectory will be determined by issues beyond the headlines, such as whether democracy can deliver for citizens and how transitions unfold.

carnegieendowment.org

Reposted by Stephen Brown

Justin Ling @justinling.ca · Apr 6

Pierre Poilievre is promising to do for Canadian foreign aid what Donald Trump did for USAID. www.bugeyedandshameless.com/p/pierre-poi...

Pierre Poilievre Wants to Slash Canadian Foreign Aid

A post-USAID world is set to be dangerous and dominated by China. Poilievre wants to make things worse.

www.bugeyedandshameless.com

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CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · Mar 25

Join us on Friday for this timely event ➡️Dismantling of USAID and its Impact on International Development

Panelists: Nancy Gordon, @stephenbrown.bsky.social, Lauchlan Munro & Idee Inyangudor
With Nipa Banerjee, Joshua Ramisch, Stephen Baranyi & Rupak Chattopadhyay

>>> bit.ly/4hgd2UK

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David J Hornsby @davidjhornsby.bsky.social · Mar 20

Canada’s Africa strategy is a landmark moment for Canada-Africa relations, but still needs work
theconversation.com/canadas-afri...

Canada’s Africa strategy is a landmark moment for Canada-Africa relations, but still needs work

Canada has taken an important first step towards a more strategic, intentional and mutually beneficial relationship with Africa. But it must provide more concrete plans for its implementation.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Stephen Brown

CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · Mar 20

📢New blog by @stephenbrown.bsky.social - Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Robust New Foreign Policy?

The main source of disappointment was the lack of any additional funds attached to the strategy. Bold, new action requires new funding... 🔗https://bit.ly/4bKws35

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Philippe M. Frowd @pmfrowd.bsky.social · Mar 20

An honest and accurate assessment from @stephenbrown.bsky.social on Canada's new Africa Strategy: "mostly a damp squib"

Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Robust New Foreign Policy? – Centre for International Policy Studies

Canada's leading centre for analysis and debate of international affairs.

www.cips-cepi.ca

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CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · Mar 17

Join us March 28th for an event titled "Dismantling of USAID and its Impact on International Development"

Featuring 2 panels, each followed by a Q&A.

Be sure to register for this timely event! >>> bit.ly/4hgd2UK

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Reposted by Stephen Brown, Cornelius Schubert, Maximiliane Wilkesmann

College for Social Sciences and Humanities | UA Ruhr @college-uaruhr.bsky.social · Mar 10

#Call #CfA: The College invites advanced international researchers in #socialsciences / #humanities to apply for the Senior #Fellowship Programme until 25 May 2025. Join the #UARuhr for a six-month #research fellowship starting in 2026 www.college-uaruhr.de/cfa-fellowships-2026-27

leaflet with a picture of four senior fellows in discussion plus graphics and the application deadline 25 May 2025

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Ryan Thoreson @ryanthoreson.bsky.social · Mar 4

"An informal survey of 127 nonprofits dealing with LGBTQ issues and other at-risk groups carried out by Uganda Key Populations Consortium, Mr. Lusimbo’s organization, showed that 97 percent of them had lost almost all their budgets as a result of the U.S.A.I.D. cuts."

Where Being Gay Is Punishable by Death, Aid Cuts Are ‘Heartbreaking’

Uganda’s L.G.B.T.Q. population was already struggling to cope with the fallout of a harsh anti-gay law when the disruption of U.S. aid put people at even greater risk.

www.nytimes.com

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Williams Institute @williamsinstitute.bsky.social · Jan 31

The day-one executive order pausing U.S. foreign aid could have far-reaching consequences for a broad range of activities and interventions that advance the rights and well-being of LGBTQI+ persons in developing countries. Our new report explores how👇

Impact of Executive Order Pausing U.S. Foreign Aid on LGBTQI+ People

williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu

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Daniel Rück @danrueck.bsky.social · Jan 28

uOttawa is seeking an Associate or Full professor in Indigenous studies or cognate discipline. Please share widely! uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...

Associate or Full Professor, Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies

Job Family: Academic Leadership and Faculty Union affiliation: APUO Faculty/Department: Faculty of Arts_FT Professors Campus: Main Campus Date Posted: January 27, 2025 Applications must be received BE...

uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com

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MiningWatch Canada @miningwatch.bsky.social · Jan 27

The really interesting thing about Canada's support for Canadian mining investment globally is that it benefits so few Canadians, yet retains unwavering political commitment.
Canada’s claim that it champions human rights is at odds with its mining practices theconversation.com/canadas-clai...

Canada’s claim that it champions human rights is at odds with its mining practices

Despite its feminist ambitions, taking a closer look at Canada’s role in countries where it has significant mining interests reveals a more complex and nuanced image of Canada in the world.

theconversation.com

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Stephen Brown @stephenbrown.bsky.social · Dec 16

🚨 📑 My journal article, "Global Frictions: Foreign Aid, Donor–Recipient Relations and LGBT+ Rights in Tanzania", is forthcoming in the Journal of International Development and already available online (free PDF download) 🌍 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ #LGBTQResearch #OpenAccess onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Global Frictions: Foreign Aid, Donor–Recipient Relations and LGBT+ Rights in Tanzania

In 2018, a Tanzanian government official announced a crackdown on homosexuality. International actors rapidly expressed their disapproval and temporarily suspended some foreign aid, which elicited a ...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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