Report Release: International Best Practice Guide to Equality on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Today, OutRight Action International published an “International Best Practice Guide to Equality on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.”
The guide, commissioned and funded by the United Kingdom’s Government Equalities Office has been published during the Commonwealth Summit, taking place this week in London.
The guide provides an overview of why and how some countries have addressed discrimination, harassment, and physical and psychological violence against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics.
It presents case studies from Belize, Botswana, Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Pakistan, countries that have introduced measures to be more inclusive. Promising practices include reforming punitive laws, enacting protective legislation, and sensitising health services to address the needs of sexual and gender minorities.
These case studies show that progress is possible in all regions of the world. The report reveals that greater inclusion is being fostered even in states that may still have laws which criminalise or marginalise people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics.
UK Minister for Women and Equalities, Amber Rudd, said:
“This Government is committed to improving LGBTQ equality around the world and commissioned this guide to drive positive action and enable countries to learn from each other. The publication shows there is no one way to achieve equality and highlights the steps taken by countries in all corners of the globe to protect and support LGBTQ people.”
Dr. Felicity Daly, author of the guide and Global Research Coordinator at OutRight Action International said:
“We took a pragmatic approach by focusing on countries which have taken steps to safeguard sexual and gender minorities from harm and introduced measures to ensure equality. The guide provides practical examples and resources that policy officials and civil society can use in pursuing equality for all. Countries around the world considering how to overcome inequality can use these examples to inform and inspire solutions relevant to their national contexts.”