Lesbian, Bi and Trans- Stop Leaving Us Behind

Venue: Church Centre of United Nation-         March 13, 2017

The main theme of this session was about the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) Inclusion Index. One of the panelists, representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bulgaria, briefly explained the LGBTI Inclusion Index and how it was developed. Another panelist, representing LGBTI youth in China, explained the findings of recent research concerning the experiences of LGBTI students in that country.

Background on LGBTI Inclusive Index:

The first speaker briefly shed light on the background of the LGBTI Inclusive Index. In September 2015, a multi-sectoral group of experts met in New York from all over the world to share and discuss their work concerning LGBTI people. These experts aimed to reach consensus on a definition of LGBTI inclusion and to provide advice on what was necessary to measure it. Later in October 2015, a group of UN entities issued a “Joint Statement on Ending Violence and Discrimination against LGBTI People.” The Statement recognizes the “equal rights of all people to live free from violence, persecution, discrimination and stigma and expressed concern about widespread human rights violations” for LGBTI people (UNDP, 2017). This statement asked states to protect individual and LGBTI people from violence, torture and ill-treatment, including by:

•        Investigating, prosecuting and providing remedy for acts of violence, torture and ill-treatment against LGBTI adults, adolescents and children, and those who defend their human rights
•         Strengthening efforts to prevent, monitor and report such violence
•        Incorporating homophobia and transphobia as aggravating factors in laws against hate crime and hate speech
•        Recognizing that persecution of people because they are LGBTI may constitute a valid ground for asylum, and not returning such refugees to a place where their life or freedom might be threatened.

The Joint Statement repeals discrimination laws. States should respect international human rights standards, including by reviewing, repealing and establishing a moratorium of the application of:

•         Laws that criminalize same-sex conduct between consenting adults
•         Laws that criminalize transgender people on the basis of their gender expression
•         Other laws used to arrest, punish or discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Finally, based on the Joint Statement, states should uphold international human rights on non-discrimination, and the UN entities announced their readiness to support and assist member states and other stakeholders who work to improve the original statement to achieve the goal of promotion and fulfil the human rights of all LGBTI people.

 The indicators introduced to measure inclusion of LGBTI people will be as follows:

•         Political and civic participation
•         Economic well being
•          Education
•        Personal security and violence
•        Health

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/img/democraticgovernance/UNDP_LGBTIinclusion_infographic.png

Members of the audience addressed the importance of contextual factors for social inclusion for LGBTI people. Achieving the goal of social inclusion is more difficult in countries where homosexual relationships are illegal and counted as crimes. Almost 73 countries have criminal laws against sexual activity by LGBTI people. The second challenge will be the high cost of inclusive plans and programs to promote the human rights of LGTI people.

The second panelist explained the outcomes of research in the context of LGBTI students in China. This research was conducted through a Chinese youth LGBTI team with the purpose of gathering academically legitimate data about LGBTI students in China. The data were collected online through a survey. The stakeholders were the Ministry of Education, the public education system in China and students. The findings of this research showed the lack of legitimate data in the context of LGBTI people in China and the high frequency of violence against LGBTI people. The research was conducted mainly at the micro level, that is, individuals’ experiences in Chinese society as LGBTI persons.

 There was general agreement that a productive collaboration between governments, civil society, regional institutions and other stake holders is needed to advance the inclusion of LGBTI people.