Gay human rights
We work across programs to uphold the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and others who are experiencing force and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender self and expression or sex characteristics. The Advocates helps LGBTIQ+ migrants fleeing persecution locate safety in the U.S. We partner with LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders to promote equality in their countries. We empower our LGBTIQ+ clients to share their lived experiences by participating in advocacy at the United Nations.
Read our submissions to international human rights mechanisms by clicking here or navigating to LGBTIQ+ Advocacy on the sidebar.
Note on terminology: Significant portions of the United Nations currently use the acronyms LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex) and SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity. These acronyms, however, do not recognize other identities that fall under the queer and gender diverse umbrellas, such as pansexuals, asexuals, and gender genderfluid people, among others. Unfortunately, many of these communities who are excluded by the acronym LGBTI hold a long history of exclusion, both from outside the queer and tran
Around a third of countries in the world explicitly criminalise LGBT people in some form. While this achieved in a variety of ways, and enforced to varying degrees, wherever these laws exist they have a profoundly negative effect on the LGBT community.
How are LGBT people criminalised?
Laws which criminalise LGBT people are invariably framed in a way which criminalises sexual acts rather than identities. The specific framing of criminalising provisions varies from country to country, though common formulations include ‘sodomy’, ‘buggery’, ‘indecency’, ‘unnatural acts’, ‘homosexuality’, ‘lesbianism’, and ‘cross-dressing’.
In many cases, criminalising provisions are vaguely worded and unclear in scope, allowing a enormous margin of interpretation by law enforcement officers and judges, who are enabled to introduce their possess prejudices when enforcing the law. Additionally, the universe of these provisions encourages police officers to perform beyond the exact letter of the law, and arrest, charge, and prosecute people based upon their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender persona even where no prohibited act has been dedicated or can be proven.
In some countries, law enfo
LGBTQ Rights
Know your rights Back to Understand Your Rights main page
The legal landscape for LGBTQ people is constantly evolving. If you think you have been discriminated against and would like our assistance, please visit our Report LGBTQ and HIV Discrimination Page and we can help you figure out whether you are protected under federal or state laws.
Can an employer discriminate against me because of my sexual orientation or gender identity?
Your rights
Employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act from discriminating on the basis of sex. Some courts have ruled that Title VII also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Supreme Court recently announced it will take up this question in three cases. In addition, many states and cities own laws that ban this kind of discrimination.
If you believe that your rights have been violated
If you think that you hold experienced discrimination at operate, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has taken the position that LGBTQ people are protected under Title VII. Try to document every
The human rights of female homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, homosexual, 2-spirit and intersex persons
Canada stands up for the protection and promotion of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, genderqueer, queer, 2-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) people globally.
The human rights of all persons are universal and indivisible. Everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression.
Article 1 of the Universal Assertion of Human Rights declares that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Article 2 declares, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration.” All people, including LGBTQ2I individuals, are entitled to enjoy the protection provided by international human rights law, which is based on equality and non-discrimination.
Nearly 30 countries, including Canada, recognize gay marriage. By contrast, more than 70 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex manner. This includes 6 countries that effectively impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts. In 6 other countries, the death penalt
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