Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ (LGBTQIA+)
Providing a tailored response to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals in humanitarian settings, including a heightened risk of sexual violence, abuse, exploitation, and harassment.
Protecting individuals against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Addressing and reducing the unique barriers to LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking sexual and reproductive health services.
Creating partnerships with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, activists, and informal networks to understand their needs.
Why it matters
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ (LGBTQIA+) individuals exist in all societies and cultures. They experience a heightened risk of sexual violence, abuse, exploitation, and harassment–particularly during times of crisis and instability. These unique threats, considerations, and barriers to treatment must be considered when creating and implementing sexual and reproductive health programming.
How We Work
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ (LGBTQIA+) Resources
Improving the Agency and Equity of Marginalized Communities in the COVID-19 Crisis
This advocacy brief is based on a study conducted in 2021 under the Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments for Sustainable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) (ACCESS) program. It explores the equity and agency of selected marginalized communities - including sex workers, transgender people, men who have sex with men, lesbian, bisexual, queer and intersex (LGBT+) people, people living with HIV, people living with a disability, and adolescent girls and young women - in Lebanon, Mozambique, and Uganda, with in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 2020-2021. The brief summarises key findings on the enablers and barriers to SRHR for each community in the three countries. It makes recommendations for humanitarian and development actors on how to better address these barriers, and steps for working across the humanitarian-development nexus with communities.
Documentary: Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Lesbian Women
This documentary shares insights and lived experiences of variant forms of violence among lesbian, bisexual, and queer young people in Botswana. Narrating the nuances, determinants, and realities in the country considered to be the fourth-most unequal by Gini-coefficient and second-highest reported rape incidents per capita.
“We Have a Broken Heart”: Sexual Violence against Refugees in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya: The Experiences of Congolese, Somali, and South Sudanese Men, Boys, and Trans Women
The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) conducted a qualitative exploratory study to examine the nature and characteristics of sexual violence perpetrated against Congolese, Somali, and South Sudanese refugee men and boys (including those with diverse SOGIESC) and trans women in their home countries, during flight, and in Nairobi and Mombasa. Intersections with violence against women and girls were also examined.
Addressing Sexual Violence against Men, Boys, and LGBTIQ+ Persons in Humanitarian Settings: A Field-Friendly Guidance Note by Sector
This Guidance Note outlines key actions and considerations for service provision per sector to support frontline workers to better address sexual violence against men, boys, and LGBTIQ+ persons.
Impact Series #1: SRHR for Intersex People
This video is part of IAWG's Impact Series 2021: LGBTQI+ people and experiences of SRHR in emergency settings.