Across the world, people are facing discrimination and human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
Homophobic and transphobic attitudes persist, resulting in stigma, violence and barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights. In many countries, abusive practices in healthcare continue to include “conversion” therapy, forced medical examinations, involuntary HIV testing and coerced sterilization.
Such discrimination takes a toll on the mental and physical health of members of the LGBTIQ+ community, leaving them more vulnerable to poverty, climate disasters and other crises.
An empowered LGBTQI+ community is the cornerstone of rights-based sexual and reproductive health services and protection from gender-based violence. Community-led services should be designed and managed in partnership with LGBTQI+ organizations and be grounded in their leadership and lived expertise. Meaningful participation requires safe and inclusive spaces to provide feedback and shape decisions, and a culture of allyship and belonging.
As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia this year, the theme of the day is “At the heart of democracy.”
Realizing the dignity, health and rights of LGBTQI+ people requires increased investment and better data and legal protection. It is also crucial to ensure targeted funding for organizations led by members of the LGBTIQ+ community, in order to strengthen leadership and community-driven initiatives and to remedy power imbalances.
Further, the safe and ethical gathering and use of inclusive, disaggregated data on LGBTIQ+ communities helps to root policies and programmes in their realities. UNFPA supports countries to advance rights-based legislative and policy reform, and to pursue education, training and other initiatives to improve services and empower LGBTIQ+ communities.
