LGBTIQ + Human rights framework
LGBTIQ+ individuals face rights violations, violence, discrimination, and legal persecution globally. Different UN documents advocate decriminalization, protection, and equality for sexual orientation and gender identity.
International Human Rights Law & Sexual Orientatio...
2018Free and equal – UN for LGBTI Equality
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status...
United Nations Resolutions – Sexual orientation and gen...
Human Rights Council, UNHCR
Expressing grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Conducting a study, documenting discriminatory laws and practices and...
The Yogyakarta Principles
2007International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
The Yogyakarta Principles are a set of principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Principles affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must compl...
Gender, Equity & Human Rights: FAQ on Health and S...
2016World Health Organization,
The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is working towards a world that reflects equity with universal respect for human dignity, pledging to leave no one behind. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals face high...
Learn More
2018Free and equal – UN for LGBTI Equality
Learn more about the human rights challenges facing lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people everywhere and the actions that can be taken to tackle violence and discrimination and protect the rights of LGBT people everywhere. These United ...
Making Room for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ...
2010Michigan Journal of International Law, Brown
In November of 2006 a group of international human rights law experts met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to draft the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Yogyaka...
Human Rights Council panel on ending violence and discr...
2012Human Rights Council
The High Commissioner’s study had documented disturbing abuses in all regions – including widespread bias in workplaces, schools and hospitals, imprisonment, torture, physical assaults and killings. It was called upon the Human Rights Council to resp...
Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence ...
2011 UN
The present report is submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 17/19, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for uman rights to commission a study documenting discriminatory laws and practices and ...
Tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientatio...
2011OHCHR
The UN human rights treaty bodies, whose role it is to monitor compliance by States parties with their obligations under international human rights treaties, have consistently held that States have an obligation under existing treaty provisions to pr...
Not an illness nor a crime’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and ...
2011Amnesty International
On 25 June 2010 thousands of people – among them lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) men and women, members of their families, activists and other supporters marched through the centre of Istanbul in the greatest show of solidarity for the ...
Gender-based violence against the transgender community...
2011The Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20,
It is important opportunity to address the serious but often-ignored issue of gender-based violence (GBV) against transgender persons. The status of the transgender population has important implications for the progress toward gender equality and oth...
Reflections and thoughts on the Passing of the follow u...
2012UNHCR
UNHCR issues these Guidelines pursuant to its mandate, as contained in the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in conjunction with Article 35 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and Articl...
LGBTIQ+ Rights in USA
The LGBTIQ+ community in the United States faces a critical moment in history, with ongoing legislative battles that impact access to healthcare, education, and overall civil rights.
How State Policy Affects the Well-Being and Relocation ...
2025The Trevor Project
LGBTQ+ young people in states with a lower LGBTQ+ policy index were more likely to cross into another state to access health care or consider moving out of the state altogether compared to those in states with a higher LGBTQ+ policy index.
Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatu...
2025American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU is tracking 456anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. Choose a state on the map to show the different bills targeting LGBTQ rights and take action. While not all of these bills will become law, they all cause harm for LGBTQ people.
From criminalization to erasure: Project 2025 and anti-...
2025CQ Quinan. Crime Media Culture
Many would be quick to point out that LGBTQ + rights have come a long way in recent years. Indeed, the past two decades have largely been characterized by mainstream media as emancipatory for LGBTQ + communities, with gains like marriage equality, ha...
The Politics of Transgender Health Misinformation
2024Thomas J. Billard. Political Communication
Health misinformation has become a central feature of public discourse on transgender rights, where it has been mobilized to advance state and federal policies that limit (or in extreme cases, prohibit) the provision of trans-related health care. The...
They are Giving Folks Permission to Discriminate and Ha...
2023Stephen M. Haas & Pamela J. Lannutti
Five dominant themes emerged across the four years: (1) an actively anti-LGBTQ administration, (2) regression of LGBTQ + rights and protections, (3) increased societal anti-LGBTQ + hate/bigotry, (4) negative LGBTQ + psychological impact due to increa...
Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions Impacti...
2025KFF Health News
Starting on the first day of his second term, President Trump began to issue numerous executive actions, several of which directly address or affect health programs, efforts, or policies to meet the health needs of LGBTQ+ people. This guide provides ...
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project focuses on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTIQ youth but also works to promote understanding and inclusivity in educational and workplace settings.
Guidelines and manuals
There are several guidelines for action, guides and assistance material for assistants and staff who provide care to people from the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as helping to promote, respect and protect their rights.
PFLAG national glossary
2024PFLAG
Search a word or phrase to understand what it means
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources
2024The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers several resources supporting the mental health of LGBTQ young people, including self-care guides and articles regarding mental wellness.
Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence,...
2011Joint Commission Contributors & The California endowment
The role of effective communication and patient-centeredness in providing safe and high-quality health care to diverse patient populations is well accepted. Effective patient–provider communication has been linked to an increase in patient satisfacti...
Towards the Effective Protection of LGBTI Persons Depri...
2018APT
“This guide – prepared by the APT with great attention to the current state of international human rights law, best practices in the field of torture prevention, and the wealth of experience of the extraordinary group of experts that provided its sub...
SOGIESC and working with LGBTIQ+ persons in forced disp...
2018APT
Asylum-seekers, refugees, internally displaced people, stateless people and others of concern to UNHCR have diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). They face a complex array of challenges ...
LGBT+ Rights
2013Human Rights Watch
In June 2013 President Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days. The law could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer...
All Survivors Project. The Health of Male and LGBT Surv...
2020Kiss L, Quinlan-Davidson M, Ollé Tejero P, Pasquero L, Hogg C, Zimmerman C.,
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has received increasing attention globally. At the same time, less is known about men, boys and LGBT persons who suffer CRSV. Research estimates that, in some context, the magnitude of C...
Guidance For Adjudicating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans...
USCIS: RAIO Directorate Officer Training
This module provides guidelines for adjudicating and considering immigration benefits, petitions, protections, or other immigration-related requests by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex, (LGBTI) individuals. The module addresses the l...
Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian,...
2003Meyer, I. H. Psychological Bulletin,
In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The autho...
APA GUIDELINES for Psychological Practice with Sexual M...
2021American Psychological Association
Sexual minority persons are a diverse population inclusive of lesbian, gay, bi+ (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid), and asexual sexual orientations. The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons provide psychologists w...
How to Support LGBTQ Victims and Survivors of Sexual Vi...
2023The Trevor Project
Supporting LGBTQ victims and survivors and being there for them as they navigate the complexities of life after trauma is a crucial aspect of collective healing. Whether you are part of the LGBTQ community or not, it remains vital to provide a safe a...
LGBTIQ + Mental health
Many LGBTIQ+ persons experience poorer mental health outcomes that are directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being LGBTIQ+.
What Is an Executive Order and How Does it Work?
2025ACLU
During his first two weeks in office, President Donald Trump has signed nearly 40 executive orders. They cover a dizzying array of policy areas –from immigration to public school — and many of them have already been challenged in court. T...
Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions Impacti...
2025KFF Health News
Starting on the first day of his second term, President Trump began to issue numerous executive actions, several of which directly address or affect health programs, efforts, or policies to meet the health needs of LGBTQ+ people. This guide provides ...
From criminalization to erasure: Project 2025 and anti-...
2025CQ Quinan. Crime Media Culture
Many would be quick to point out that LGBTQ + rights have come a long way in recent years. Indeed, the past two decades have largely been characterized by mainstream media as emancipatory for LGBTQ + communities, with gains like marriage equality, ha...
‘A twist of the knife’: trans Americans respond to Trum...
2025The Guardian
Right after Donald Trump won the election, Max Kuzma set to work. As a trans man living just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, he knew he needed to get his documentation in order. He considers himself lucky that he already legally changed his name, but rus...
‘Everything is transgender,’ complains president obsess...
2025Rolling Stones
Among his first actions as president, Trump issued a series of executive orders and agency directives banning gender-affirming care for young people, barring transgender people from serving in the military, and prohibiting trans women from playing in...
The Trevor Project Shares Post-Election Day Crisis Cont...
2024The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, shared that its classic crisis services (lifeline, chat, text) began to experience significant increases in volume towards the end of ele...
Supporting Black LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health
2020The Trevor Project
Black LGBTQ+ young people hold multiple marginalised identities. Under the minority stress model, experiences of discrimination, rejection, threats, and violence are compounded, and can lead to negative mental health outcomes.
Black & LGBTQ+: Approaching Intersectional Convers...
2024The Trevor Project
Many BIPOC LGBTQ+ young people are still facing difficult conversations with people who may be uninformed about race, queer identities, or the intersection of both. Intersectional conversations can take a variety of forms. Some are engaging their Whi...
APA GUIDELINES for Psychological Practice with Sexual M...
2021American Psychological Association
Sexual minority persons are a diverse population inclusive of lesbian, gay, bi+ (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid), and asexual sexual orientations. The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons provide psychologists w...
Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender ...
2015American Psychological Association,
The purpose of the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (hereafter Guidelines) is to assist psychologists in the provision of culturally competent, developmentally appropriate, and trans-affirmative p...
Mental Health in the LGBT Community
MentalHealth.net
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the risk of a mental health condition, like depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is almost three times as high for youth and adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisex...
LGBTQ+ Identity and Cultural Dimensions
NAMINational Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI
If you live with a mental health condition and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ), it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Not all members of the LGBTQ community will have the same experiences. ...
Sexual orientation and symptoms of common mental disord...
2016Semlyen, J., King, M., & Hagger-Johnson, G., BMC Psychiatry,
Conclusion study: In the UK, LGB adults have higher prevalence of poor mental health and low wellbeing when compared to heterosexuals, particularly younger and older LGB adults. Sexual orientation identity should be measured routinely in all health s...
Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgende...
2016Russell, S. T. & Fish, J. N., Annual review of clinical psychology,
Today’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth come out at younger ages, and public support for LGBT issues has dramatically increased, so why do LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for compromised mental health? We provide an overvi...
A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and de...
2008BMC Psychiatry,
Conclusion study: LGB people are at higher risk of mental disorder, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and deliberate self harm than heterosexual people.
Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian,...
2003Meyer, I. H. Psychological Bulletin,
In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The autho...
New data on lesbian, gay and bisexual mental health
2002Tori deAngelis
In a study that examines possible root causes of mental disorders in LGB people, Cochran and psychologist Vickie M. Mays, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, explored whether ongoing discrimination fuels anxiety, depression and other s...
Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgende...
2016NIH
Today’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth come out at younger ages, and public support for LGBT issues has dramatically increased, so why do LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for compromised mental health? We provide an overvi...
Crisis calls from LGBTQ+ youth spiked by 700 percent af...
2025Orion Rummler
LGBTQ+ youth are afraid, confused, and anxious about the outcome of the election, The Trevor Project said. Here are some resources.
Trump Administration Moves to Reject Transgender Identi...
2025Ryan Thoreson
Within hours of returning to power Monday, United States President Donald Trump issued a stunningly broad executive order that seeks to dismantle crucial protections for transgender people and denies the validity of gender identity itself. The new or...
All the ways Trump wants to exclude trans people from p...
2025Orion Rummler, Kate Sosin
From passports to health care, the White House is trying to make it harder for transgender Americans to live openly and safely. Here’s a look at the executive orders and their impact.
Ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based...
2025White House
This text is an executive order issued by the White House on January 21, 2025, addressing the end of “illegal discrimination” and the restoration of merit-based opportunity in several key sectors of American society. In general, the order...
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
2025White House
The Executive Order issued by the White House on January 29, 2025, addresses the issue of “radical ideologies” in K-12 schools, with a focus on ending “indoctrination”, “protecting parental rights”, and “prom...
LGBTIQ + human rights violations
Many LGBTIQ+ experience human rights violations directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being LGBTIQ+.
LGBTIQ+ communities and the anti-rights pushback: 5 thi...
2024UN
Recent decades have marked major advances for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) people1 in many places, including the legalization of same-sex relations, legal recognition of gender identity on the...
LGBTQ lives in conflict and crisis. A Queer Agenda for ...
2023Outright International
Violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has been a staple of many armed conflicts and crises.1 But for governments and global institutions, persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity in conflict...
Armed conflict, homonegativity, and forced internal dis...
2013Zea et al.
Colombia has endured six decades of civil unrest, population displacement, and violence. We examined the relationships of contextual conditions, displacement, and HIV among gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Bogotá, Colombia. Nineteen key ...
“This Is Why We Became Activists” Violence Against Lesb...
2023Human Rights Watch
There are specific types of violence that target queer women, even when we’re closeted. Machorra, that’s the Spanish version of dyke. We do things men do not like. I love to drive my truck. Friends hop in and out. Men don’t like it. Because it means ...
Russian Crackdown on LGBT+ activists must end
2022Article19 february
On 9 February, Russia’s Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit seeking to liquidate Sphere Foundation, a legal and financial entity of the Russian LGBT Network, arguing that the group spreads ‘LGBT views’ and engages in activities that contradict ‘fundamen...
Everyone Wants Me Dead – Killings, Abductions, T...
2022Human rights watch and IraQueer
This report is focused on killings, abductions, torture, and sexual violence against LGBT people by armed groups in Iraq. It is based on 54 interviews with LGBT Iraqis who have survived violence and discrimination by state and non-state actors, based...
The Politics of Transgender Health Misinformation
2024Thomas J. Billard. Political Communication
Health misinformation has become a central feature of public discourse on transgender rights, where it has been mobilized to advance state and federal policies that limit (or in extreme cases, prohibit) the provision of trans-related health care. The...
LGBTIQ + Gender-based violence (GBV)
Violence against LGBTIQ+ people in conflict settings has been recognised by the United Nations as a form of gender-based violence (GBV) that is often motivated by homophobic and transphobic attitudes and directed at those perceived as defying hegemonic gender norms.
How to Support LGBTQ Victims and Survivors of Sexual Vi...
2023The Trevor Project
Supporting LGBTQ victims and survivors and being there for them as they navigate the complexities of life after trauma is a crucial aspect of collective healing. Whether you are part of the LGBTQ community or not, it remains vital to provide a safe a...
Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender-Expan...
2023Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign is both saddened and infuriated by the deaths of at least 32 transgender and gender-expansive people whose lives have been tragically and inhumanely taken through violent means, including through gun and interpersonal violen...
Male and LGBT survivors of sexual violence in conflict ...
2020Kiss, L., Quinlan-Davidson, M., Pasquero, L. et al.,
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has been the subject of increasing research and scholarship. Less is known about the health of men, boys and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and other gender non-binary person...
Still a blind spot: The protection of LGBT persons duri...
2018Margalit, A. (PhD),
This article draws attention to the situation of LGBT persons during armed conflict. Subjected to violence and discrimination outside the context of armed conflict, the latter aggravates their vulnerability and exposure to various abuses. Despite imp...
All Survivors Project. The Health of Male and LGBT Surv...
2020Kiss L, Quinlan-Davidson M, Ollé Tejero P, Pasquero L, Hogg C, Zimmerman C.,
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has received increasing attention globally. At the same time, less is known about men, boys and LGBT persons who suffer CRSV. Research estimates that, in some context, the magnitude of C...
Sexual Violence Against Men, Trans Women in Syria Confl...
2020Brian Stauffer for Human Rights Watch,
Syrian state and non-state actors have subjected men, boys, transgender women, and nonbinary people to sexual violence during the Syrian conflict, resulting in severe physical and mental health consequences which are compounded by a lack of support s...
Male and LGBT survivors of sexual violence in conflict ...
2019Hinck, J. for SwissPeace,
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has been the subject of increasing research and scholarship. Less is known about the health of men, boys and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and other gender non-binary person...
LGBTIQ + Organisations and sites
Different organisations and institutions working with LGBTIQ + topics.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The HRC is one of the largest LGBTIQ advocacy groups and political lobbying organisations in the United States. They publish the Corporate Equality Index, which rates workplaces on their LGBTIQ policies and practices.
Stonewall
Stonewall is a leading LGBTIQ rights charity in the UK that works with employers to create inclusive and accepting environments for LGBTIQ employees. They run the Diversity Champions program to promote workplace equality.
PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and G...
PFLAG provides support, education, and advocacy to create an inclusive environment for LGBTIQ individuals in all aspects of life, including the workplace.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project focuses on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTIQ youth but also works to promote understanding and inclusivity in educational and workplace settings.
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
This organisation focuses on achieving workplace equality for LGBTIQ individuals and provides resources, training, and advocacy to help companies create inclusive environments.
United Nations Free and Equal
In July 2013, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) launched UN Free & Equal – an unprecedented global UN public information campaign aimed at promoting equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTI people. In 201...
ILGA – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans ...
The world federation of national and local organisations dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people across the globe. Established in 1978, ILGA enjoys consultative status at the UN Ecosoc Council...
Transrespect versus Transphobia Worldwide
(TvT) is a comparative, ongoing qualitative-quantitative research project conducted by Transgender Europe. The project provides an overview of the human rights situation of trans persons in different parts of the world and develops useful data and ad...
The online platform for Taylor & Francis Group con...
Taylor & Francis make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in our publications. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents (including the editor, any member of the editorial team or edito...
The Coalition of African Lesbians
A formation of more than 30 organisations in 19 countries in Africa committed to advancing justice for lesbian and bisexual women and transdiverse people.
Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists (AGLP)
AGLP traces its roots to the late 1960s when gay and lesbian members of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) met secretly at the annual meetings. In 1973 the APA removed homosexuality from the diagnostic manual (DSM) allowing a more open associ...
The Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay...
The pages in this section contain links to documents, websites, and other resources related to LGBT psychology that are consistent with the mission of Div. 44. These links are provided as resources for our members and visitors to this site. Please no...
Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity FRI
FRI is an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Norway that works to promote equality, rights, and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Queer World
Queer World is a Norwegian interest organization for LGBTQ+ individuals with minority backgrounds. The organisation is an independent, non-religious, and non-partisan organization that works diligently towards a society where everyone, regardless of ...
The World Professional Association for Transgender Heal...
A non-profit, interdisciplinary professional and educational organization devoted to transgender health. Our professional, supporting, and student members engage in clinical and academic research to develop evidence-based medicine and strive to promo...
Immigration Equality
Since 1994, Immigration Equality has been proud to support and represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and HIV-positive immigrants seeking safety, fair treatment, and freedom.
OutRight Action International
OutRight Action International is a leading international organization dedicated to human rights advocacy on behalf of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expre...
Astrea Foundation
Astraea is a public foundation, rooted in LGBTQI communities and movements, and work in strategic partnership with foundations, individuals and governments to ensure that their resources reach the activists who need them most and who are best positio...
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs)
TIERs is a Nigerian-based organization that promotes and protects the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria and West Africa. They have various programs, including mental health initiatives, that address the specific needs and challenges faced by LG...
LGBT mental health syllabus
This website was created by the LGBT Issues Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) to teach psychiatry residents about caring for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex patients. However, we hope it will also be use...
Lagablab LGBT Network
LAGABLAB is a Philippine advocacy network that works for the promotion and protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines. They engage in legislative advocacy, policy reform, and community empowerment (only on Facebook).
RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.