This publication provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of social exclusion which affect young LGBT people and it illustrates the everyday discrimination and marginalisation which LGBT youth continue to experience in all EU Member States.
This publication provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of social exclusion which affect young LGBT people and it illustrates the everyday discrimination and marginalisation which LGBT youth continue to experience in all EU Member (...)
This advocacy manual provides a logical structure and a set of methods, tools and skills for advocates, and discusses where LGBT human rights advocates in the domestic setting can employ international and regional human rights instruments to frame their arguments and achieve their advocacy objectives.
This handbook illustrates a number of ways in which different actors can work together to make Europe’s cities and communities safer for LGBT people. It outlines key elements in ensuring that (...)
This publication presents experiences of various initiatives for the defense of sexual rights in fundamentalist contexts in Latin America on issues of the interference of fundamentalisms in the defence of sexual rights in the region and the strategies that are being employed to combat them.
This publication presents experiences of various initiatives for the defense of sexual rights in fundamentalist contexts in Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Honduras on issues of the interference (...)
The aim of this publication is to contribute to increased and better reporting of homophobic and transphobic incidents by providing tools and a methodology to document and report violence motivated by hatred against LGBT people in a systematic and factual manner.
The aim of this ILGA-Europe publication is to contribute to increased and better reporting of homophobic and transphobic incidents by providing tools and a methodology to document and report violence motivated by hatred against (...)
This Toolkit provides ideas and information resources for those wanting to organise Pride events in a hostile environment, drawing particularly on the experiences and successes achieved in Central and Eastern Europe.
Harassment and violence are real dangers for those campaigning for LGBT rights in a hostile environment. This Toolkit, prepared by ILGA Europe for the EuroPride London 06 Prides against Prejudice conference, provides ideas and information resources for those wanting to (...)
This report answers a European Parliament request to examine the situation of LGBT persons in depth, following restrictive legislation on their rights in certain EU Member States.
The following report, from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) answers a European Parliament request to examine the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in depth, in response to restrictive legislation on their rights in certain EU Member States. The original June 2008 (...)
This Policy Document outlines the Dutch government’s LGBT policy 2008-2011.
This Policy Document outlines the Dutch government’s LGBT policy 2008-2011. The government expresses concerned about intimidation, incidences of violence, ongoing discrimination and homophobic language and comments. The government reaffirms its commitment to broaden and enhance its efforts to protect the safety and equal rights of LGBT (...)
This article presents arguments for LGBT equality that might be rooted in different national contexts but can also be used at the international level.
Beginning from the premise that LGBT rights are basic human rights, Judit Takács, describes the human rights concerns for Hungarian LGBT people and presents arguments for LGBT equality that might be rooted in different national contexts but can also be used at the international (...)
This Handbook summarizes case law on non-discrimination of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice.
This Handbook from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Agency for Fundamental Rights summarizes case law of ECHR and the European Court of Justice on non-discrimination.
This report is a study of "renewal movements" in the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church USA and their partnership with African leaders to promote homophobia in Africa and the United States.
This report by Political Research Associates is a study of "renewal movements" in the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church USA and their partnership with African leaders to promote homophobia in Africa and the United States. (...)
In 2006, in response to well-documented patterns of abuse, a distinguished group of international human rights experts met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to outline a set of international principles relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. The result was the Yogyakarta Principles: a universal guide to human rights which affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply. They promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and (...)
Guidelines for systematising and strengthening embassy efforts to promote the rights of LGBT people.
This document, released by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its embassies, outlines guidelines for systematising and strengthening embassy efforts to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
This paper contains work presented by Alice Miller at the “Sexual, Reproductive and Human Rights Seminar” in November 2001.
This paper contains work presented by Alice Miller at the “Sexual, Reproductive and Human Rights Seminar” organized by Comité de América Latina y el Caribe para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer (CLADEM) in November 2001 in Lima, Peru.
The purpose of this document is to provide basic guidance on how NGOs can use the UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies and the Special Procedures of the UN Commission on Human Rights to raise cases concerning the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBT people.
The purpose of this document from Amnesty International is to provide basic guidance on how non-governmental organizations can use the United Nations Treaty Monitoring Bodies and the Special Procedures of the UN Commission on (...)
This document aims to provide staff in the EU Headquarters, EU Member States’ capitals, EU Delegations, Representations and Embassies with an operational set of tools to promote and protect the human rights enjoyed by LGBT people within its external action.
This toolkit aims to provide staff in the EU Headquarters, EU Member States’ capitals, EU Delegations, Representations and Embassies with an operational set of tools to be used in contacts with third countries, as well as with (...)
This Guide explains how international law and standards can and should be used to provide victims of human rights violations, on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, the protection to which they are entitled.
This Guide explains how international law and standards can and should be used to provide victims of human rights violations, on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, the protection to which they are entitled. The Guide explains how to apply the (...)
This document provides references to sexual orientation and gender identity within the UN human rights system.
This document provides references to sexual orientation and gender identity within the UN human rights system. It is a comprehensive collection of jurisprudence, general comments, concluding observations, and reports from human rights treaty bodies and independent experts of the UN Charter-based system. In addition, it includes speeches and press releases from the Office of the (...)
A handbook for writing shadow/alternative reports for CEDAW incorporating human rights issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
This handbook from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission is intended to help non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activists prepare inclusive shadow or alternative reports for the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). An inclusive report not only recognizes that women (...)
This briefing memo aims to provide greater nuance and document specific risks and vulnerabilities of sexual rights defenders, or defenders who are themselves sexual and/or gender non-conformists.
This briefing memo from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission aims to provide greater nuance and document specific risks and vulnerabilities of sexual rights defenders, or defenders who are themselves sexual and/or gender non-conformists. In this context, IGLHRC draws (...)
Recognizing that urgency is required in the LGBT struggle for equal rights and equal treatment, this book discusses key concepts and questions regarding LGBT rights and presents LGBT experiences in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The starting point for the creation of this book has been the recognition that urgency is required in the LGBT struggle for equal rights and equal treatment. It opens with a number of articles that address the urgency in the Dutch context from a historical (...)
CEDAW Committee General Recommendations 27 and 28, referencing sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women adopted two General Recommendations. General Recommendation 27 addresses the protection of the human rights of older women and General Recommendation 28 outlines the core obligations of States parties under Article 2 (on discrimination). Both Recommendations affirm that discrimination against women based on (...)
This advocacy manual, written by ILGA-Europe, provides a logical structure and a set of methods, tools and skills which advocates can use in planning and implementing their advocacy work.
This advocacy manual has been written by ILGA-Europe to provide a logical structure and a set of methods, tools and skills which advocates can use in planning and implementing their advocacy work. It is primarily concerned with how and where LGBT human rights advocates in the domestic setting can employ (...)
Global Rights issued this guide as a resource for organizations interested in participating in the shadow reporting process for the ICCPR.
The purpose of this short guide from is to assist civil society groups and activists to participate effectively in the shadow reporting process to the U.N. Human Rights Committee, responsible for monitoring government compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Source: Global (...)
This guide explores sexual and LGBTI rights from a human rights perspective, presenting examples and strategies implemented in other countries and regions.
This guide, issued by Global Rights, was conceived as a human rights tool that for any human rights activist who wants to explore sexual and LGBTI rights from a human rights perspective, as well as for sexual and LGBTI rights activists who might be interested in considering examples and strategies implemented in other countries and (...)
This factsheet gives an overview of the situation of LGBT people in Europe following the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty.
This factsheet from the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law gives an overview of the situation of LGBT people in Europe following the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty.
This French- and Dutch-initiated statement was delivered on 18 December 2008 and constitutes the first official statement on sexual orientation and gender identity before the UN General Assembly.
This French- and Dutch-initiated statement was delivered on 18 December 2008 and constitutes the first official statement on sexual orientation and gender identity before the UN General Assembly. The statement was intended to be adopted as a resolution, but has not been adopted by the General (...)
This declaration was concluded by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Travesti, Transsexual, Transgender and Intersex organizations, convening in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in May 2009.
This declaration was concluded by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Travesti, Transsexual, Transgender and Intersex organizations, convening in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in May 2009. The Declaration denounces killings, tortures, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, public humiliations experienced by travesti, trangender, (...)
This folder contains UN General Assembly Resolutions on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The following documents are UN General Assembly Resolutions on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The human rights situation of transgender persons has long been ignored and neglected, although the problems they face are serious and often specific to this group alone. Transgender people experience a high degree of discrimination, intolerance and outright violence. Their basic human rights are violated, including the right to life, the right to physical integrity and the right to health. The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has therefore launched a comparative study on the (...)
This Human Rights Watch report gives a brief picture of the global human rights movement around issues of sexuality and gender.
This Human Rights Watch report gives a brief picture of the global human rights movement around issues of sexuality and gender, presenting data from a survey of 100 leading sexual rights activists from some 50 countries. The report’s findings are divided into five regional chapters focusing on conditions in what is commonly known as the global South and (...)
This article highlights the importance of including the notion of gender expression in the human rights framework.
Although in recent years, the notion of gender identity has progressively been introduced into the human rights framework, this has not been enough to cover the range of phenomena associated with gender expression. Due to the fundamental role of gender expression in social dynamics, this article from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission discusses the (...)
This Issue Paper outlines the international human rights framework that should be applied to protect the rights of transgender persons, describes the key human rights concerns, and concludes with examples of good practice and a set of recommendations to member states of the Council of Europe.
This Issue Paper is intended to continue the debate on transgender human rights issues and make the problems encountered by transgender people known more widely. The paper outlines the international (...)
The aim of these Guidelines is to provide an introduction to the content of the EU Gender Recast Directive and an overview of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and their relevance for trans people living in the European Union. These Guidelines are also designed to give guidance on how to improve the implementation of the Gender Recast Directive vis-a-vis gender identity, and to ensure equality for all trans people in the countries where the Directive is applicable (...)
This brochure aims to provide answers and support for young people questioning their gender identity.
This brochure, I Think I Might Be Transgender, Now What Do I Do?, from Advocates for Youth aims to provide answers and support for young people questioning their gender identity.
This overview and literature review illustrates the necessity for economic policies and poverty reduction efforts to take account of sexuality.
This paper was commissioned by Swedish Aid agency SIDA and written by the Institute of Development Studies.
This Briefing Paper from the International Commission of Jurists outlines the current state of international law as it relates to the criminalization of sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex.
A review of international human rights standards and their authoritative interpretation by treaty bodies and human rights courts makes clear that the criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct is a violation of rights guaranteed under international law. This Briefing Paper from (...)
The purpose of this annual report on State-sponsored Homophobia is to name and shame the states which in the 21st century deny the most fundamental human rights to LGBTI people.
The purpose of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association’s annual report on State-sponsored Homophobia, as stated since its first edition in 2007, is to name and shame the states which in the 21st century deny the most fundamental human rights to LGBTI people, i.e. the right to life (...)
This report provides an analytical overview of the criminalization of homosexuality.
This Amnesty International report provides an analytical overview of the criminalization of homosexuality. It maps out different justifications used for criminalization, including on grounds of morality, public health and the protection of children, and draws on examples of how these provisions affect the lives of thousands of people in countries all across the (...)
This report illustrates how LGBT Africans are made doubly vulnerable by the criminalization of homosexuality and the often-violent stigmatization they face if their sexuality is revealed.
This report from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission illustrates how LGBT Africans are made doubly vulnerable by the criminalization of homosexuality and the often-violent stigmatization they face if their sexuality is revealed. Based on research from 2007 to the present, the volume (...)
This report describes how laws in over three dozen countries, from India to Uganda and from Nigeria to Papua New Guinea, derive from a single law on homosexual conduct that British colonial rulers imposed on India in 1860.
This 2008 report from Human Rights Watch describes how laws in over three dozen countries, from India to Uganda and from Nigeria to Papua New Guinea, derive from a single law on homosexual conduct that British colonial rulers imposed on India in 1860. It explains how the (...)
This report addresses sexuality-related HIV discrimination in Africa.
In this report, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) addresses sexuality-related HIV discrimination in Africa. IGLHRC links the impact of human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Africans to increased situations of vulnerability.
This reference guide compiles core and supporting documents relating to sexual and reproductive rights and health for LGBT people.
This document, published by ILGA-Europe and COC Netherlands, compiles core and supporting documents relating to sexual and reproductive rights and health for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. The primary target audiences of the guide are LGBT advocates in seven countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, (...)
This report summarizes the findings of a 2007 survey of transgender and transsexual people’s experiences of inequality and discrimination in accessing healthcare in 13 countries in Europe.
This report summarizes the findings of a 2007 survey of transgender and transsexual people’s experiences of inequality and discrimination in accessing healthcare in 13 countries in Europe. The survey confirmed that very few countries had fully embraced the range of transgender protections available in (...)
This issue of IGLYO on addresses the issues LGBTQ young people face when it comes to accessing health services.
This issue of IGLYO on addresses the issues LGBTQ young people face when it comes to accessing health services. Topics include LGBT inclusiveness in healthcare, access to healthcare and the healthcare experience of transgender people, health concerns for lesbian and bisexual women, and HIV. Source: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth Student (...)
This ILGA report addresses health issues for lesbian and bisexual women.
Double discrimination based on gender and on sexual orientation can have a significant impact on the mental and physical wellbeing, preventing also some women to seek assistance from health care providers. This ILGA report addresses health issues for lesbian and bisexual women. It contains a compendium of information ranging from health-specific topics, such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and breast (...)
This report assesses the levels of protection that are currently offered to LGBT families under international human rights law.
This ILGA-Europe report assesses the levels of protection that are currently offered to LGBT families under international human rights law and outlines ways of moving forward towards achieving full recognition of LGBT families under international human rights (...)
This report provides general recommendations for advocates for LGBT people and their children, as well as specific ways in which the discourses of human rights can be brought to their assistance.
This report, presented in three parts below, was conceived as a means of opening a dialogue between—on the one hand—a growing body of human rights work on the family in general, and—on the other—the particular situations and needs of families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender parents. It is (...)
These guidelines provide an introduction to the EU Directive on the right to free movement, an explanation of those provisions most relevant to LGBT families, an overview of the transposition process, and an analysis of the impact of the Directive when applied to LGBT families.
In 2004, the European Union adopted a new Directive on the right to free movement, which sets out the rules applying to EU citizens and their family members who wish to move to another Member State. This can be for (...)
This report outlines the international and European treaties relevant to the protection of children’s family rights, outlines some of the specific problems that the inequalities in national and international laws can cause those children, and makes recommendations to ensure the full respect of the rights of children in LGBT families.
This paper starts from the simple premise that it cannot be in the best interest of those children to leave their important relationships of care outside of (...)
This Position Statement from the American Psychological Association addresses public and professional concerns about therapies designed to change a patient’s sexual orientation or sexual identity.
In December of 1998, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued a position statement opposing any psychiatric treatment, such as "reparative" or conversion therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that (...)
This article from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission briefly outlines the major human rights issues surrounding intersexuality.
This article from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission briefly outlines the major human rights issues surrounding intersexuality, including access to appropriate healthcare and informed consent.
These guidelines are intended to assist health care professionals in the provision of diagnosis, treatment, education, and support to children born with disorders of sex development and to their families.
These guidelines from the Consortium on the Management of Disorders of Sex Development are intended to assist health care professionals in the provision of diagnosis, treatment, education, and support to children born with disorders of sex development and to their families. Sources: (...)
This Handbook provides information about sex and gender development intended to provide support to parents of children with disorders of sex development.
This Handbook from the Consortium on the Management of Disorders of Sex Development provides information about sex and gender development intended to provide support to parents of children with disorders of sex development. Sources: Accord Alliance and Intersex Society of North (...)
This consensus statement represents an important advance in thinking about appropriate care for patients and families affected by disorders of sex development.
This consensus statement, the outcome of collaborative work by fifty international experts, represents an important advance in thinking about appropriate care for patients and families affected by disorders of sex development. This is also the document that established "disorders of sex development" as a replacement for archaic (...)
This report of the joint ILGA-Euope and IGLYO Age Project aims to raise awareness of how sexual orientation, gender identity and age interlock.
This report of the joint ILGA-Euope and IGLYO Age Project aims to raise awareness of how sexual orientation, gender identity and age interlock. It presents the results of two roundtables with the goal of identifying problem areas to be (...)
In a 2006 European study, as many as 61% of the young LGBT respondents reported negative personal experiences in schools: social exclusion, bullying, harassment, verbal and physical aggressions, and curriculum-based discrimination on the basis of their perceived gender identity and/or sexual orientation. This was a greater percentage than discrimination experienced in their family, circle of friends or community. These Guidelines aim to be an extensive response to the question “Where do we (...)
Ressources produites par le Collectif éducation contre les LGBTphobies en milieu scolaire (organisations réunissant parents d’élève, syndicats enseignants, d’étudiants et de lycéens)
De la nécessité de lutter contre l’homophobie et les discriminations de genre dès l’école primaire. Cet argumentaire, issu des travaux du Collectif éducation contre les LGBTphobies en milieu scolaire, est à destination des membres de l’institution et des personnels. Il entend proposer des pistes de réflexion aux différents (...)
The WLUML and The Global Campaign to Stop VAW in the name of "Culture" (VNC Campaign) have just released the Strategic E-Campaigning Toolkit accessible here.
This toolkit was inspired by the workshops held in Asia and Africa for the partners and members of WLUML and the VNC campaign.
While this toolkit has been designed primarily for the local partners and activists of the VNC campaign, this can be a resource, too, for human rights activists who are keen to develop their online activism (...)
The Casebook is the first book of its kind. It collects and analyzes judicial decisions from more than 100 courts around the world.
The Casebook by the International Commission of Jurists is the first book of its kind. It collects and analyzes judicial decisions from more than 100 courts around the world.
The Casebook showcases the role of international and comparative law in litigation seeking to vindicate the human rights of LGBT individuals. It is organized into fourteen chapters, (...)
From the Council for Global Equality, a handbook on how LGBT human rights defenders can access US Embassies.
News
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2012 - Close to 100 countries participating New countries joining International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrations for the first time, including countries among those which keep 1,5 BILLION people under laws that criminalize same sex relationships.
News getting in about global mobilization worldwide.
New countries joining International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrations for the first time, including countries among those which keep 1,5 BILLION people under laws that criminalize same sex (...)
Costa Rica Costa Rica : organisations ask for IDAHO to feature in official school program The main national Costa Rican movements for diversity joined public institutions to demand equal rights on May 17, celebrated in Costa Rica as the National Day Against Homophobia, lesbophobia and Transphobia.
With a march in downtown Guadalupe, dozens of people paralyzed traffic to demand an end to homophobia and unite for equality, confronting President Laura Chinchillan who declared that human rights are not a priority of her administration.
The Ombudsman for the People, Ofelia (...)
India Organisations in India’s West Bengal region stage street protest on IDAHO Faced with total and unjustified suspension of their subsidies from the State, activists used the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia as the stage to set a massive protest public action, which attracted extensive media coverage
Manas Bangla is a network of 13 community-based organisations engaged in the distribution of medical and social support to approximately 10,000 homosexual men, transgenders and Hijras in West Bengal
Faced with total and unjustified suspension of (...)
United Kingdom Speaker of UK House of Commons speaks up on IDAHO "Through education, through campaigning and through the sheer force of moral suasion, we must strive to deliver equality for LGBT people that others have so long enjoyed and they have too long been denied." John Bercow
Kaleidoscope Trust’s President and Speaker of the UK House of Commons gave a speech on IDAHO, which was attended by the UK Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, and other MPs and Members of the House of Lords
Read the full (...)
South Africa South African Youth celebrate IDAHO As part of their youth development work, the Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA), a NGO based at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, has been mentoring young LGBT people in campaign building around issues that affect them.
As a result, students put together an exciting campaign for IDAHO, which included a silent protest at University Avenue, a flash mob and a panel discussion about campaign building.
Photos of the event can be accessed on the Facebook page of (...)
New countries joining International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrations for the first time, including countries among those which keep 1,5 BILLION people under laws that criminalize same sex relationships.
News getting in about global mobilization worldwide.
New countries joining International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrations for the first time, including countries among those which keep 1,5 BILLION people under laws that criminalize same sex (...) 
The main national Costa Rican movements for diversity joined public institutions to demand equal rights on May 17, celebrated in Costa Rica as the National Day Against Homophobia, lesbophobia and Transphobia.
With a march in downtown Guadalupe, dozens of people paralyzed traffic to demand an end to homophobia and unite for equality, confronting President Laura Chinchillan who declared that human rights are not a priority of her administration.
The Ombudsman for the People, Ofelia (...) 
Faced with total and unjustified suspension of their subsidies from the State, activists used the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia as the stage to set a massive protest public action, which attracted extensive media coverage
Manas Bangla is a network of 13 community-based organisations engaged in the distribution of medical and social support to approximately 10,000 homosexual men, transgenders and Hijras in West Bengal
Faced with total and unjustified suspension of (...) 
"Through education, through campaigning and through the sheer force of moral suasion, we must strive to deliver equality for LGBT people that others have so long enjoyed and they have too long been denied." John Bercow
Kaleidoscope Trust’s President and Speaker of the UK House of Commons gave a speech on IDAHO, which was attended by the UK Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, and other MPs and Members of the House of Lords
Read the full (...) 
As part of their youth development work, the Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA), a NGO based at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, has been mentoring young LGBT people in campaign building around issues that affect them.
As a result, students put together an exciting campaign for IDAHO, which included a silent protest at University Avenue, a flash mob and a panel discussion about campaign building.
Photos of the event can be accessed on the Facebook page of (...) 
