Banjul/Geneva/Strasbourg/Washington, D.C., 16 May 2018

On the eve of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on 17 May, a group of United Nations and international human rights experts*, celebrating the 70th year of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 70th year of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, urge States and other stakeholders to adopt all necessary measures to ensure that the obligation of all States to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains firmly included in the 2030 agenda, and to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) persons, communities and populations in the design, implementation and evaluation of all related policies.

Significant progress is being made in the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender non-conforming persons from violence and discrimination. Implementation remains nonetheless partial and uneven: reports of violence and harassment are still the norm in all regions of the world, LGBT people face laws criminalising same-sex relations and gender expression in 72 countries, only one third of States of the world have laws to protect from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and only around 10% of nations have laws that protect from discrimination based on gender identity.

As a result, trans, gender non-conforming, and LGB persons affected by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination (including based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and social status), are suffering from the lack of access to their economic, social, and cultural rights, and are being effectively left behind. Discrimination against LGBT persons fuels the spiral of violence to which they are subjected daily and creates an environment conducive to their exclusion from opportunity in all facets of life, including education and political and civic participation, and contributing to economic instability, homelessness, and ill health. The development commitments of the international community, placed in the frame of the Sustainable Development Goals, demands that immediate attention be given to ensuring that the systematic exclusion of these groups, communities and populations be addressed: to make sure that no one is left behind, actions must be taken to tear down the systematic barriers that exclude LGBT persons from the benefits of the development agenda.

For example, the rates of poverty, homelessness and food insecurity are higher among LGBT individuals than in the wider community, a situation that bears direct relation with SDGs 1, 8, 10 and 11, the targets of which include ensuring “that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services” and creating “sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies.”

Laws criminalising homosexuality, the pathologisation of trans and non-binary people and other forms of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity shape the attitudes, policies and practices of health-care institutions and personnel, and therefore perpetuate stigma and deter individuals from seeking services and may lead to denial of proper access to their right to health. Branding LGBT persons as ill based on their sexual orientation or gender identity has been, and continues to be, one of the root causes of the human rights violations that they face, including forced treatments such as so-called “conversion therapies”. Addressing these challenges bears strong relation with several international human rights standards and the furtherance of SDG 3, concerning good health and well-being and the targets of which include “access to quality essential health-care services”.

LGBT persons are also systematically excluded from quality education, the subject matter of SDG 4, as a result of harassment, violent abuse and even being thrown out of schools. In all regions of the world bullying based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity is commonplace, resulting in desertion rates are significantly higher for LGBT persons. This, in turn, deepens exclusion from economic opportunities. In this sense, States have an obligation to ensure that their policies of education are specially designed to modify social patterns and cultural behaviour, counteract prejudice and customs, and to eradicate practices based on stereotypes related to LGBT persons that can legitimise or exacerbate the violence by prejudice.

Without urgent measures to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the international community will fail to comply with their international human rights law obligations and deliver on the promise not to leave anyone behind in the implementation of the SDGs. Urgent responses are required from State actors, including legislative, judicial and executive, as well as national human rights institutions, and non-State actors such as civil society, faith-based communities, the media, workers’ organizations, and the private sector. Those responses will rely on the capacity building and international cooperation prescribed by SDG 17, and also the resolution of cross-cutting concerns, among which the availability of “high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts” that is one of its targets, and ensuring that disaggregated data collection and management are implemented in strict compliance with human rights standards, as an effective measures to prevent, punish, and eradicate violence against LGBT persons, and for formulating any needed policy changes.

States must urgently repeal discriminatory laws, adopt protective legislation, reform institutions and implement policies to combat discrimination and ensure the effective inclusion of LGBT persons, as well as ensure effective access to justice, including remedy, and diligent investigations of killings and other acts of violence and discrimination against LGBT persons who face violence and discrimination.

ENDS

(*) The experts:

Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT)

UN independent experts: Mr. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Ms. Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Mr. Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Dainius Pῡras, Special Rapporteur on the right to health; Ms. Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR): Mr. Lawrence M. Mute, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa; Vice Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Council of Europe (CoE): Ms. Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights

Starting at 9:30 a.m. The Forum will take place at the Real Intercontinental Hotel: “Trans people in El Salvador, a historical debt” and then the 9th March against Transphobia will take place. The activities are organized by the organizations that make up the Permanent Bureau by the Gender Identity Law.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia will be celebrated on 17 May.

We take this opportunity to analyze issues of the current panorama of LGBTI + rights in Portugal, stimulating a conference entitled “LGBT Youth and the Current Society”.

With this event we try to analyze the young initiatives that work within the LGBTI + theme and consider their impact and reception and discuss the need for education for sexuality. We will also visit current issues such as discrimination in health and legislation regarding gender self-determination.

For this, we count on the presence of experienced people in the area:
• Alexandre Passo – president of the IST Student Association;
• Catarina Marcelino – former Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality and one of the promoters of the new law on gender identity;
• Joana Cadete Pires – representative of ILGA Portugal;
• João Roxo – doctor in charge of the scientific area of ​​CheckpointLX and representative of the GAT;
• Ricardo Robles – councilor of CML.

– Organizers: QueerIST

– Place: Room V4, Civil Engineering Building, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal;

– Time: 18h

– Further information at the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2016960025044996/

Lisboa: Amnistia Internacional Portugal will organize a conference on gender issues called “What makes your gender?” with a panel composed of trans people and followed by a film screening. Further information here https://www.facebook.com/events/2068017433439921/

Porto: Organized by the HeforShe Portugal, the Conference “Gender in Academia” at the Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto, further information here https://www.facebook.com/events/2118616145049384/?active_tab=about

Coimbra: Pride march against homo/transphobia, further information https://www.facebook.com/events/862182693988896/

Faro: 1st LGBTI Meeting organized by the Associação Xis, at 9h30 in the Club Farense (Solar dos Pantojas).

On May 16 at 12 noon. the Conference “Advisory Opinion Oc-24/12 of the CoIDH” will be held within the framework of the Day.

Next May 17 at 6pm. The Front for Equal Rights is organizing a night of artistic expression by LGBTI + artists of various disciplines, in commemoration Day. There will be live painting, poetry and music.

The organization Síwo Alâr Hombres Trans CR will also carry out a Planton for Dignity and the Right to Identity at 1:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court of Elections of San José in claim to recognition of gender identity by the Costa Rican State.

Different LGBT organizations grouped under the Guatemalan LGBTI Federation will carry out multiple activities in commemoration of the Day, among which the 6th Walk Against Homophobia stands out.

In the framework of the activities of the Day, the Departmental Assembly of Montevideo will hold a debate table “For a policy committed to trans lives #LeyTransYa. It will take place on May 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Casa Grande.

The United States Agency for International Development, the Delegation of the European Union, the Memorial Museum of the Dominican Resistance and the United Nations Development Program will hold an event to commemorate the Day. It will be held on Thursday 17 May at 20hs.

The organization will make next Tuesday May 15 at the Municipal Comptroller of San Joaquín, Carabobo state, the dictation of a Workshop on “Sexual Diversity, Discrimination and Respect for Differences” within the framework of the Day.

The same will be dictated from 8:30 am to 12 noon in the “Don Carlos Arenas” Room of said external fiscal control body.

On May 17, the Reflejos de Venezuela Foundation will hold the Conversation Cinema: “Facing Fear”.
A moment of debate. A Life of Forgiveness / Jason Cohen’s Documentary

Reflejos de Venezuela Foundation in its project “I AM NOT DISTINT @, DO NOT TRACT ME DIFFERENT”.

CONFRONTING THE FEAR is a documentary that shows two worlds colliding when a former neonazi skinhead and the gay victim of his hate crime attack meet by chance 25 years after the incident that dramatically shaped their lives. Together, they embark on a journey of forgiveness that challenges both to deal with their beliefs and fears, eventually leading to an unlikely collaboration … and friendship.

For this activity we have the cooperation of a space won against LGBTI discrimination, such as the MEGA SALA DIGITAL MOVISTAR of Fundación Telefónica in Venezuela.

Day: Thursday, May 17, 2018 pm.
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: MEGA DIGITAL MOVISTAR ROOM Av. Francisco de Miranda, Canaima Park Tower, level C-2 Urb. Los Palos Grandes Caracas.

Free entry
Limited Space – Fill out this form https://goo.gl/forms/HkQjLNslY0tQ5zoo1

Union Afirmativa organization will make a panel called “Lesbian Maternity” on Saturday, the 19th at 3:00 p.m. a in the framework of the Day in the city of Caracas.

The organization Kukulcanhn Tegucigalpa has organized a full week of activities which ends with a great march against the Homo / Lesbo / Trans phobia. We share the agenda in the next link.

Yaaj Mexico, Embassy of the Netherlands in Mexico and Museum of Memory and Tolerance, invite you to participate in the Educational Day LGBT + IDENTITY, LOVE AND SEXUALITY.

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the events of the day will take place on Tuesday 15, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 of the month of May 2018. All the tables and workshops will be They will be held in the facilities of the Memory and Tolerance Museum in CDMX.

We invite you to review and confirm your attendance at any of the tables, keynotes or workshops at the following link:

http://www.myt.org.mx/museo/centro-educativo/cursos/2018/mayo/jornada-lgbt-identidad-inclusion.html

For the 5th consecutive year, the LGBT Besoton will be held on Thursday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. The objective of the event is to raise awareness about the consequences of discrimination, the low progress of our Human Rights, the lack of interest and little commitment on the part of the Presidential Candidates. Four years after the Presidential Decree as National Day Against Homophobia, Mexico continues to occupy 1st place in hate crimes for homophobia, there has been no considerable progress. The promises of Peña Nieto failed.

Throughout the week from May 14 to 16 the organization La 72 in the city of Tabasco will carry out multiple activities that include discussion forums, cinema, reflection tables and ends on May 17 with a show for the victims of homophobia, a fair of diversity and a night culture.