LGBTQIA+ Rights Are Human Rights

LGBTQIA+ stands for…

Lesbian (women attracted to women)
Gay (men attracted to men, although the term can also include women attracted to women)
Bisexual (attracted to both men and women)
Transgender (people whose gender doesn’t match the sex assigned to them at birth)
Queer (a reclaimed term often used by those who identify as LGBTQIA)
Intersex (born with both male and female sex characteristics)
Asexual (not attracted to anyone)
+ other sexual identities such as two-spirit, pansexual, gender fluid, and more.

Because of discrimination, LGBTQIA+ people globally are more likely than others to:

• Live in poverty
• Experience unemployment
• Experience homelessness
• Lack access to healthcare
• Experience violence
• Experience sexual assault
• Experience mental health issues

We work with communities and organisations globally toward a just world. A world where people can live with dignity, have their basic needs met and their fundamental rights respected. We work for a world where people can speak up for their rights, their needs and their concerns, so people in power listen and act.

This is why supporting LGBTQIA+ people is part of our work to end poverty and inequality.

Sexuality and sexual orientation are often used interchangeably. Sexual orientation is about who someone is attracted to and who they form relationships with. Sexualities include lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, pansexual and more.

Gender is the word used for socially constructed ideas about behaviours, roles, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender-diverse people.

Oxfam supports women and people who experience gender-based discrimination to claim their rights. This includes trans women, trans men and non-binary people. We support everyone to dismantle unequal gender roles. We believe poverty can only be overcome when all people are treated equally. When everyone's human rights are respected and upheld. And when everyone has the freedom to make choices about their lives. Feminism is about equality and fairness.

Oxfam subscribes to intersectional feminism.

An intersectional feminist approach acknowledges that different parts of our identities can be used against us at the same time.

Intersectional feminism is a Black feminist theory. It highlights that Black women experience discrimination differently to white women and Black men. This is because they experience discrimination on the basis of both race and gender.

An intersectional approach also takes into account other forms of oppression. Including discrimination against people on the basis of their sexuality, gender identity, disability or class.

An intersectional approach helps us to see that hundreds of millions of people live in poverty not because of who they are, but as a result of unequal systems. This knowledge is important in understanding the root causes of inequality and poverty – and helps us all to work for meaningful change.

The unequal systems we live with and in are linked. For example, a Black LGBTQIA+ person is more likely to experience inequality as a result of their race and queer identity being used against them. This means they are more likely to live in poverty than a white LGBTQIA+ person. Or a Black person who is heterosexual and cisgender. We need to break down all the types of systemic oppression people face so we can live as equals.

We are led by the people we work with, in solidarity (for a common cause). This means working to understand how different forms of discrimination make things unequal. How people who are LGBTQIA+, people who experience racism, or people with disabilities, might have different needs. And experience different barriers to achieving their human rights and equality.

People's sex and gender can be used against them. We believe everyone has the human right to freedom of gender identity and expression.

In our work towards Gender Justice, we champion the rights of all people – women (including trans women), as well as non-binary people and trans men. We understand that patriarchal systems – where men hold the majority of the power – harm everyone.

We see all forms of systemic discrimination, including sexism, gender-based violence, racism, and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people, as connected. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Oxfam understands gender justice as the full equality and fairness between girls, women, boys, men and gender-diverse people in all areas of life. Until all people can share the power to define and shape the policies, structures and decisions that affect their lives and society as a whole.

• LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights.
• Human rights include the right to life, liberty and security of person as well as freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Gender-based violence and discrimination against gender or sexuality expression violate LGBTQIA+ people’s, and all people’s human rights.

Gender norms (like stereotypes about who does what tasks at home) contribute to inequality between men and women. Discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people often takes the form of gender-based violence. This means queer people are discriminated against because they do not conform to gender ‘ideals’ (like being stereotypically ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’). This degrading treatment violates their rights.

Transgender people do not conform to the gender typically associated with the sex they are assigned at birth. Transphobia means they are discriminated against on the basis of their gender. Transgender people also experience high levels of violence, because they are transgender. Gender justice must include people of all genders. Because justice is not justice if it is not for everyone.

Although gender and sexuality are different, ideas about gender and sexuality are often related. For example, the norms around how women and men should behave in heterosexual relationships. These norms are harmful to women and are unequal.

For homosexual couples, homophobia often takes the form of discrimination on the basis of not doing what is expected of a ‘man’ or a ‘woman’.

For example, research has shown that bisexual people are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than heterosexual or homosexual people. This is thought to be linked to discriminatory bi-phobic stereotypes that are connected to negative norms about gender and sexuality.

This is why inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people is essential to our work toward gender justice.

We know we are at the start of our own journey of trans-inclusion. We have sometimes made mistakes and have much more to do. Oxfam will not tolerate any form of transphobic discrimination and we are committed to creating a culture which is fully inclusive and consistent with our values. Our places of work should be safe and respectful spaces.

Trans-inclusion means including trans women, trans men, and non-binary people. In all their diversity and expression in the different contexts and cultures in which we work.

Gender justice typically focuses on discrimination against (cisgender) women in a system in which (cisgender) men have more power and resources. A trans-inclusive approach also accounts for the ways that transgender people can be harmed in similar and different ways by the same system.

A trans-inclusive approach doesn’t just recognise that transgender people exist. It actively works to understand and address the ways that trans people experience harm. For example, barriers to accessing healthcare, housing and more.

Oxfam does not specialise in LGBTQIA+ rights, but we do work on a small number of programmes to support LGBTQIA+ people.

We are supporting Gay Alliance Ukraine, who are mobilising the LGBTQIA+ community, strengthening the capacity of this community in advocacy, human rights and improving life in Ukraine.

In Lebanon, we are advocating for the rights to access housing and healthcare for LGBTQIA+ people. In Cambodia and Laos, we support the Voice project, which provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ advocates as well as people experiencing different forms of oppression.