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Home , Heteronormativity, Lesbian

of , , Bisexual and persons Conducting a Dialogue

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes the right of every person to life, privacy, health and equality before the law, as well as the right to free- dom of expression and freedom from and violence, including torture. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons are constant- ly at risk of and gross violations of their fundamental human rights in a number of countries. Many LGBT persons fear or face imprison- ment, torture, abuse and even murder, solely they live in a context that does not tolerate their , identity or .

In most countries there are LGBT organisations, or loosely connected Policy dialogue plays a central role in Sweden’s development cooperation, groups and networks, striving for and the purpose of this paper is to introduce a strategy for dialogue equal rights and opportunities. The around LGBT persons’ human rights at global, regional and country capacity of the organisations varies, levels. as well as the strategies they apply. Many work through advocacy to change the legal system to recognise LGBT persons’ rights, and provide Discrimination and violation of the human rights of LGBT persons have social support and counselling. Sup- negative implications on their ability to contribute to development and port to LGBT organisations and indi- to benefit from it. Stigma and discrimination often leave LGBT persons viduals who defend the human rights in a situation of poverty and render them vulnerable to violence and of LGBT persons comes in many HIV/Aids. Living openly, or even just being perceived as, or associated forms, including financial and politi- with, an LGBT person, many times mean risk of losing one’s employment, cal. The EU Toolkit to Promote and Protect housing, education, and access to health care. LGBT persons must the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by be recognised as rights-bearers and agents that have an indisputable LGBT People, adopted in 2010, right to participate in processes and decisions that affect their lives and includes a number of concrete recom- society at large. mendations on this topic. The Policy for Global Development (PGD) states that Sweden will con- tinue to raise and take initiatives with 2007–2009, stated that “in those respect to difficult and controversial countries where Sweden systematically issues, such as the rights of LGBT includes an LGBT perspective in the persons. Addressing the rights development cooperation, the rights of LGBT persons also resonates with and poverty situation for LGBT per- Sida’s human rights based approach sons is expected to improve, and there- and emphasises including the perspec- by increasing their opportunities and tives of people living in poverty. Sida’s ability to influence their own deci- Action Plan on Sexual Orientation sions.” A new action plan with similar and in Swedish content is under way. Development Cooperation, 2

Why are sexual orientation of citizens. Transparency is a pre-con- and gender identity and dition for accurate reporting on impris- expression important onments and prosecution of LGBT human rights issues? persons. Accountability When it comes to the human rights of Sida bases its human rights LGBT persons, the accountability based approach on four of governments in developing countries principles: Openess and is generally very poor. Few governments transparency, Accountability, show willingness to make commitments Participation and Non- to protect the human rights of LGBT discrimination. persons. However, there are positive examples, such as that has one of the most protective constitutions for LGBT people in the world; Nepal Openness and transparency which has a third legal gender; and A state’s silence on the existence, as Uruguay, which recently introduced well as the rights, of LGBT persons legislation to allow change of legal gen- in many countries, contradicts the der. , as the first country principles of transparency and good in , has legalised same- governance. There are enormous marriage. challenges on accessing data related Legal norms and standards, to LGBT groups, for example, public enshrined in the human rights instru- health statistics, related to sexual iden- ments, should also apply to LGBT tity or practice. Information on LGBT persons and governments should issues is generally nonexistent, and the be held to account for the observance dissemination of such information of those rights.

The Gender Doc organisation campaigns for LGBT rights in Moldova

is in many cases criminalized. In states Meaningful participation with weak institutions and weak dem- and ocratic structures, most marginalized The right to participation is crucially and stigmatised groups not only suffer and inextricably linked to fundamen- from unjust treatment from the gov- tal democratic principles. Meaningful ernmental entities but also have more participation is dependent on the real- difficulties in accessing information isation of several human rights. on policies that affect their lives or on If people are to participate in society rights they have. in a meaningful way, they must be free Of particular importance is infor- to organise themselves without restric- mation on human rights violations tion (right of association), meet with- 3

out impediment (right of assembly), LGBT and poverty say what they want without intimida- Poverty is a multi-dimensional con- Dialogue, in national, regional tion (freedom of expression), and have cept, where lack of resources is inter- and multilateral fora, is a access to relevant facts (right to infor- connected with lack of power and valuable tool for Sida mation). influence over one’s life and society to promote the rights of LGBT LGBT persons and LGBT human at large. In order to be able to change people. The EU “Toolkit rights defenders are often forced ones situation, a person must enjoy to Promote and Protect the to silence, for fear of persecution fundamental human rights and per- Enjoyment of All Human Rights or fear of losing employment etc. Ver- sonal security. LGBT persons are by LGBT People”, adopted in bal and physical violence, or threat at greater risk of being affected 2010, is useful for practitioners of violence, also contributes to isola- by poverty, as , dis- promoting and protecting tion from different spheres of society. crimination and criminalisation human rights of LGBT persons. Further, limitations in freedom infringe on LGBT persons’ rights, of association for LGBT organisations affect their health, their position in the deny them the status of civil society labour market, their educational actors. opportunities, their political participa- tion and their access to social networks Non-discrimination and services. The interconnection of the principles of non-discrimination and equality Dialogue is among the most fundamental ele- ments of international human rights Possible Entry Points law. Discrimination and inequality may arise from legal inequalities There are a number of possible ways in status and entitlements or from and approaches in which the rights social values that shape relationships of LGBT persons can be raised. within communities. The principle In order to hold Governments account- of non-discrimination entails the able, it is important that the human importance of looking at effects, rights of LGBT persons are included rather than intentions. This means in the UN Universal Periodic Review that, regardless of the intentions processes and shadow reports. In coun- of policy makers, a policy regime tries where the government is unlikely is to be considered incompatible with to take LGBT rights into considera- human rights principles if it has tion, networking should be supported, a discriminatory effect on a marginal- in order to mobilise legitimate human ised group. rights actors and potential supporters Discrimination affects LGBT per- willing to provide information sons at different levels. Lack of anti- violations of LGBT persons’ human discrimination legislation or complaint rights. In dialogue with governments, it mechanisms mean that there is no is recommended that the development protection for LGBT persons from of studies and surveys on the living discrimination at the workplace, in the conditions and human rights’ status labour market, within the health care of LGBT persons are promoted. system, in education, in STI preven- There are a several possible entry tion, etc. It also means that there is no points that could be used in such dia- legal protection from sexual, verbal logues. Depending on the context, dif- and physical violence and harassment ferent approaches may be suitable. due to sexual orientation or gender Which entry point to use should identity or expression. Discriminatory be discussed and anchored within the legal systems reserve some rights for domestic LGBT community. a heterosexual and non-trans people such as marriage, , inherit- Public Health ance, etc. Such legal systems and Heteronormativity, discrimination, penal codes make it impossible for and criminalisation create unequal LGBT persons to claim the right access to health care. LGBT persons to protection from violations and dis- may find it harder to obtain adequate crimination as that would entail a risk and, individually tailored care. of persecution. In terms of HIV prevention, LGBT groups are usually not included 4

in national health plans, and most acts incur harsh penalties. Laws of this countries fail to report on MSM (men kind legitimise state sanctioned harass- who have sex with men) indicators. ment of LGBT persons, and function Almost universally, MSM and MTF as an excuse to deny them custody of (male to ) transgender persons their children, the right to form an are more affected by HIV than the organization, etc. The laws also general population. Marginalisation, restrict the opportunities for HIV pre- stigma, discrimination, and fear vention in the countries in question, of self-exposure make it more difficult and the scope for obtaining redress as for MSM and MTF transgender per- a victim of crime. The countries that sons to protect themselves from trans- have attracted the most international mission, as these groups are less likely attention in recent years for applying to access appropriate services. these laws include , , The health of lesbian and bisexual and , but there women also tends to be overlooked in have also been less publicized cases in research and medical practice. Wom- countries. For more details see the en who have sex with women (WSW) collection of land reports on rfsl.se/www.rfsl. are still considered a low risk group se/?p=2517 (in Swedish). in terms of HIV vulnerability. How- LGBT persons all over the world ever, the fact that HIV has low trans- face abuse, rape and murder. The root mission in WSW practice has proven of hate-motivated violence lies not to be an inadequate reason to assume in the victim’s gender identity that the group is not at risk. Some or expression or sexual orientation women who have sex with women also or practice. Instead, it lies in the cul- practice sex with men by choice, while tural norms of the context in which others are at risk because of sexual they live. The State plays an instru- violence, forced marriage etc. Ill- mental role in either perpetrating the health is both a consequence of and violence itself, legitimising violence a strong contributory factor to mate- perpetrated by individuals, or prevent- rial poverty and powerlessness, lack ing it through protective legislation. of influence and disfranchisement. Criminalising legislation gives reason In dialogue with health ministries, to assume that violence and harass- advocate for the inclusion of LGBT ment occur also outside of the legisla- groups in national health plans and tive system, since these laws have the other national surveys. Are the groups effect that violence against LGBT per- MTF (Male identifying himself/- sons is legitimised and it provides self as female) and MSM (men who a ground for extortion. have sex with men) included In countries where LGBT persons in National Health Strategic Plans are not mentioned in the penal code, (NHSPs) or other prevalence studies? ‘morality laws’ may be used Lack of reporting on HIV prevalence as grounds for arrests, such as ‘causing among these groups may indicate una- a public nuisance’ or ‘acts that are wareness of their vulnerability and contrary to good morals’. Criminalis- even denial of this existence. ing legislation is sometimes used by politicians as a reason to oppose Decriminalisation LGBT persons’ human rights. More than 85 countries and territories Embassies could work actively for worldwide have made homosexual decriminalisation within the frame- acts a criminal offence. In such coun- work of on-going human rights dia- tries, a romantic relationship between logue and legal reform programmes. two people of the same sex may lead An embassy should argue for decrimi- to a long prison sentence, lashing or, nalisation when the issue is on the at worst, the death penalty. In the agenda. What is the official stand United Arab Emirates, Iran, , on LGBT rights on behalf of the gov- and 12 Nigerian states, engag- ernment? Have politicians made any ing voluntarily in homosexual prac- public statements? Is there state sanc- tices is a capital offence. In Bangla- tioned violence against LGBT per- desh, , Namibia, Tanzania, sons, such as imprisonments, arrests Uganda and Zimbabwe, homosexual or executions? 5

However, the agenda setting should and bisexual women and FTM trans- be the prerogative of the persons gender persons – are sanctioned, affected. It must be the decision of the or even carried out by, the victim’s persons affected when and how own relatives. Women who do not to bring up decriminalisation, because marry may end up being dependent of the risk of backlash. As such, it is on their family, while not having any of strategic importance that civil soci- influence over their own life. ety and LGBT organisations are Violence and threats of violence strengthened, so that they can take against family members may also active part in bringing decriminalisa- restrict LGBT persons’ freedom and tion up on the agenda. be an obstacle in participating openly in activism for LGBT rights. Non-discrimination The absence of a legal framework Discrimination within the labour mar- for same-sex families creates uncer- ket affects LGBT persons’ chances tainty for children living in families of finding and keeping a job. Access that are considered unconventional. to employment is particularly limited Certain LGBT issues can be for transgender persons. brought up under the heading of gen- Heteronormativity and discrimina- der mainstreaming. Gender-related tion also create unequal access to edu- violence, for instance, is a concept that Every person, regardless of sexual cation. LGBT persons may lack the covers both men’s violence against orientation, gender identity and support from their family and thus the women and hate-motivated violence gender expression are entitled opportunity for further studies. School against LGBT persons. Dialogues to their rights. LGBT rights are not can be a rough environment and between the authorities and civil soci- special rights, but the same going to school may become impos- ety organisations, LGBT organisations human rights that should sible for those who have suffered har- if they exist or women’s organisations be afforded to all individuals. assment because of their sexuality that are LGBT inclusive, can be useful or gender expression. fora to bring up such issues. It can be useful to bring up the question of legislation and to promote FAQ protective legislation, based on the human rights argument, and to bring Below some FAQ and statements are up hate-crime and hate-speech legisla- listed. tion. Is there non-discrimination legis- lation that gives protection on the “Why should we allow here?” labour market and within the school system, on basis of sexual orientation Homosexuality exists among all and gender identity or expression? people and has done so since the Do LGBT persons feel safe to report beginning of recorded . assaults to the police and are their cas- It was not something invented by, es taken seriously? nor only practised in, Western coun- tries. The reason why it is more vis- Social networks and family ible in Western countries is because there generally is protective legisla- LGBT persons often risk losing their tion that enable people to more social networks if their sexual orienta- openly claim equal rights. tion or gender identity is revealed. Even people from families that are not “Our laws are based on traditional beliefs poor may end up in poverty if their and should continue to reflect these. / Our family turns their back on them. The religion forbids homosexuality// family, for many the main source transgenderism, and our laws reflect our reli- of security, may for LGBT persons gion.” be the single greatest threat to their health and security. Honour-related Governments have the responsibility violence directed at LGBT persons to safeguard the rights and freedoms may lead to stigmatization, exclusion of its citizens. Sometimes this means and, at worst, death. It is not uncom- taking a proactive stand ahead of mon that “curative” rapes – sexual public opinion. It is also the respon- assaults intended to “convert” lesbian sibility of the government to be 6

informed and updated on the implications of the human Annexes rights situation of specific groups. International human rights treaties and most national constitutions provide for 1. Sexual orientation and gender identity the equal treatment under the law, which requires that and legal international Human Rights states work to end legal discrimination on the grounds instruments and initiatives of sexual orientation. The law should guarantee the same rights to everyone The UN Declaration of Human Rights, and the Interna- in the territory. Most countries have committed them- tional Convention on Civil and Political Rights, are built selves to guarantee human rights for all. upon the principle of universality. Therefore, protection of LGBT persons’ human rights does not require “special “If we these changes and allow homosexuality, we will open the considerations”. As is stated in the preamble of ICCPR, door to immorality. We will be encouraging the spread of HIV/AIDS, “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and and undermine marriage, which is the cornerstone of our society.” inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the Human rights do not depend on – and are not subject world”. to – different interpretations of morality. Any State that Another fundamental principle of the Declaration of has signed the UN Convenant on Civil and Political Human Rights is non-discrimination. Thus, there is no jus- Rights is obliged to secure the protection of the individu- tification for states to discriminate on the basis of sexual ori- al’s private life, regardless of how the person lives. In a entation or gender identity or expression. The argument democratic society, any interference with the right to pri- that discrimination on either of these bases is not prohib- vacy must have legitimate aims and originate in transpar- ited, simply because they are not mentioned in lists ent procedures. of grounds of discrimination, is not valid. In several court UNAIDS states in its operational guidelines for MSM cases, ‘other status’ has been interpreted as inclusive of sex- that ”even in generalized HIV epidemics, men who have ual orientation. Moreover, 66 UN member states have sex with men are more affected by HIV than the general signed a joint statement confirming that discrimination population”. Transmission between MSM is not a result on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity of the sexual relation as such, but of lack of information are indeed covered by the Universal Declaration of Human about prevention, access to prevention and health care/ Rights. Yet another undisputable argument is the right testing. The evidence from medical experts, accepted to privacy, which has been recognised as an argument by WHO, is that it is more difficult to prevent the spread in decriminalisation processes. of HIV if people who are at risk are deterred from get- ting tested and treated, as their relationships are out- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lawed. Recognizing the existence of and rights of men The following are examples of how articles from the Uni- who have sex with men is therefore in line with a respon- versal Declaration of Human Rights can provide a basis for sible response to HIV/AIDS. dialogue on LGBT persons’ Human Rights: • ARTICLE 13 & 14: “Everyone has the right to freedom “What do the rights of LGBT persons have to do with poverty allevia- of movement and residence within the borders of each tion?” state” and “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution” Homosexual Poverty deprives people of the right to determine and acts are outlawed in over 85 countries and territories, shape their own life. Poverty affects different groups which increases the need of LGBT persons to seek refuge. in different ways. The socio-economic situation, ethnic This may be the last resort for someone living under the origin, sex, politico-economic instability and climate are constant threat of being exposed, excluded, imprisoned just a few of the factors that create and exacerbate pov- or executed. Likewise, in many countries same-sex rela- erty. However, in spite of the numerous social, political, tionships are not legally recognized, which may also be a economic and cultural factors causing poverty, it is safe reason for migration. to say that LGBT people are at great risk of being affect- • ARTICLE 23: “Everyone has the right to work”. ed by poverty, precisely because of their sexuality or gen- In many countries LGBT persons are systematically dis- der expression. criminated against within the labour market. This leads Laws and norms of society restrict and infringe on the to obstacles in terms of provision and financial and social rights of LGBT people, affecting their health, their posi- independence. tion in the labour market, their educational opportunities, • ARTICLE 25: “Everyone has the right to a standard their political participation and their access to social net- of living adequate for the health and well-being of him- works. All projects intended directly or indirectly to fight self and of his family”. Violation of the right not to suf- poverty should review whether their activities maintain fer discrimination leads to a negative cycle of restricted or even reinforce prevailing heteronormative concepts opportunities, which in turn may lead to poverty. LGBT of gender and sexuality. persons’ right to health is overlooked when the health- care system is founded on the assumption that all patients are heterosexual. 7

Examples of statements regarding the Human Rights vide information about what they explicitly entail for LGBT of LGBT persons: people. They include information on extrajudicial execu- A number of international bodies have spoken out against tions, violence and torture, access to justice, privacy, non- criminalisation of homosexual acts. For instance, the discrimination, rights to freedom of expression and assem- UN Committee on Human Rights decided in the 1994 bly, employment, health, education, immigration and refu- in the case of Toonen v. Australia that the State of Tasmania’s gee issues, public participation, and a variety of other criminalisation of same-sex acts, contravened the interna- rights. In 2010 an Activist’s Guide that gives an introduc- tional covenant on Civil and Political Rights. tion to the and their use, as well as a The UN General Assembly Third Committee adopted report on the impact of the Principles, was released. More a resolution in November 2006 condemning extrajudicial information and the publications can be found on executions on the grounds of homosexuality. For its part, www.ypinaction.org. the European Court of human rights, in three cases from 1981, 1988 and 1993, stated that “ laws” con- EU Toolkit to Promote the Enjoyment of all Human travened the European Convention on Human Rights. Rights by LGBT People The UN Special Rapporteurs have increasingly This toolkit was published in 2010 and has the purpose included specific reference to the Human Rights of LGBT of providing staff in the EU Headquarters, EU Delegations, persons in their reports. In 1999, the Special Rapporteur Representations and Embassies with an operational set on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions, of tools to be used in dialogue with third countries, as well Asma Jahangir, was the first to include individual cases as with international and civil society organisations, in order of severe persecution of sexual minorities in her reports to promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons to the UN Commission on Human Rights. In consequence, within its external action. some members of the Commission accused her of going beyond her mandate. 2. Monitoring and evaluation In a report from April 2010, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the The EU Toolkit entails a number of indicators for tracking highest attainable standard of physical and men- and monitoring the human rights situation for LGBT per- tal health, examines the relationship between the right sons in a country as well as for discovering progress or set- to the highest attainable standard of health and the crimi- backs. It is quite comprehensive and covers 10 basic human nalization of three forms of private, adult, consensual sexu- rights principles: Right to Life; Right to freedom from torture al behaviour among which same-sex conduct and sexual or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; Right to equality orientation is one. The Special Rapporteur suggests that before the law and non-discrimination; Right to privacy; decriminalization is necessary as part of a comprehensive Right to association; Freedom of assembly, Freedom of infor- right-to-health approach. Such measures include human mation and expression, Right to work, Right to health, Rights rights education, the participation and inclusion of vulner- of children. able groups, and efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination These indicators can provide a fair picture of the human in respect of these groups. rights situation for LGBT persons in a country or region. In , in applying the ‘reasonable and objective’ The analysis and strategic planning must always be context test, the European Court of Human Rights has con- specific. If there is an LGBT movement, it should be demned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orienta- involved in political dialogue. If there is no such movement, tion, in considering the right to respect for private life, but this may indicate the severeness of the situation for LGBT not when considering the right to respect for family life. persons. However, there may be other ways of supporting Within the European Union, there is a general prohibi- the LGBT community on their terms, i e through health tion on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation outreach programs, HIV/AIDS prevention programs, etc. in employment. Article 21 of the 2000 Charter of Fun- In terms of the accountability of the governments human damental Rights of the European Union calls for the rights commitments, active measures must be taken to ensure prohibition of any discrimination, on the basis of sexual that the human rights of LGBT persons are respected. Are orientation. there anti-discrimination legislation, policies, and action plans? Are there research reports on homophobic and The Yogyakarta Principles transphobic violence? Are MSM and MTF transgender per- The Yogyakarta Principles are a set of legal principles sons included in national HIV/AIDS prevention strategies? on how international law should apply to human rights - For participation in democratic processes as equal actors tions based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expres- in society, LGBT organisations must have the legitimacy sion. A group of human rights experts from 25 countries for- and ability to give a voice to the LGBT community, e.g. mulated these principles, which were adopted at a meeting by participating in public dialogues, without fear of perse- in 2006 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. www.yogyakartaprinciples.org. cution. Are there laws that constrain the freedom of infor- The Yogyakarta Principles are very helpful guidelines mation and expression? Are there limitations in the Free- in applying the principles of human rights to issues of sexu- dom of Assembly and Right to Association? (If there is leg- al orientation and gender identity and expression, as they islation against , can this be use to prevent dis- make the human rights principles more tangible and pro- tribution of LGBT friendly materials or educational materials about sexuality, depending on the legal definition • : Originating in a sense that the role of one’s of pornography.) Freedom of Assembly and Right to Asso- own gender is too narrow, transvestism is a way of coun- ciation are usually constrained for LGBT communities, terbalancing the to which one has been with reference to a criminalising legislation, meaning that acclimatized, by using attributes and symbols culturally the organisations can be outlawed or denied registration, defined as “female” or “male”. because their agenda is contrary to a legislation that crimi- • : Using appearance and behaviour to exaggerate nalises homosexual acts. typical characteristics of conventional gender roles. A male role is often called a , and the female 3. List of common LGBT concepts counterpart a drag . LGBT Intersexualism LGBT – lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, is an Intersexualism is a general term used for a variety of con- umbrella term for sexual orientation, gender identity and ditions in which a person is born with a reproductive gender expression. The term has been developed in a West- or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical defi- ern, 20th-century context and in many parts of the world, nitions of female or male. anatomy doesn’t always other terms are used. However, LGBT has come to be show up at birth, and sometimes a person is found to have an internationally valid term, even if its implications vary intersex anatomy when she or he reaches the age in different contexts. Some organizations have added the of puberty. letters Q and I ( and/or intersex). The Heteronorm Homosexuality Heteronormativity is the institutionalisation of the idea that The ability to love and/or be sexually attracted to a mem- only is normal, and only particular kinds of ber of the same sex. heterosexual relations are normal. In English, the term “gay” is often used to describe a homosexual , and “lesbian” is used for a homosexual Identity vs. behaviour . People who have sex with others of the same sex do not necessarily identify themselves as gay, lesbian (homosexual) Bisexuality or bisexual. The term LGBT is a way of describing sexual- The ability to be sexually attracted to and/or love someone ity and gender expression in relation to human rights in the irrespective of sex. social, civil, political, cultural and economic spheres. The There may be a distinction between how a person feels term LGBT covers both identity and expression, but peo- (what identity they have) and how they live (with a man or ple’s sexual practices are not always reflected in their iden- a woman). Living with a person of the opposite sex doesn’t tity. Two terms sometimes used are MSM (men who have automatically mean that a person is hetero­sexual. sex with men) and WSW (women who have sex with wom- en). This avoids mentioning what are perceived as set iden- Transgender tities. Men who have sex with men and women who have Since transgender is an umbrella term, it’s important to be sex with women do not necessarily define themselves aware that there are many different ways in which a person as homosexual or bisexual, or feel any solidarity with oth- can be transgender. Transgenderism is all about gender ers who identify themselves as LGBT. identity and expression, rather than primarily about sexual- It’s important to in mind that the identities ity. Transgender people may be homosexual, bisexual embraced by the term do not manifest themselves in the or heterosexual. same way worldwide, and that categories change with time • Transgender or intergender: A term describing people who and place. see their gender identity as transcending the simple Local contexts, with their specific cultural codes and male–female divide. practices, are all different and must always be considered • Transsexualism: A deeply rooted sense of not belonging when dealing with LGBT issues internationally. in the body you were born with and the identity you Human Rights and ) (Democracy, Empowerment Department for Art.no.: SIDA61258en. have been legally assigned.

References

Find more information, references, and web links that may be useful in your dialogue on rights of LGBT persons: www.sida.se/LGBTrights.

SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY Address: SE-105 25 Stockholm, Sweden. Visiting address: Valhallavägen 199. Phone: +46 (0)8-698 50 00. Fax: +46 (0)8-20 88 64. www.sida.se [email protected]