10th January 2018 Dear Dr. Birch, GAP President and GAP Executive Committee,

APPLICATION FOR GAP MEMBERSHIP

We, the organisations listed below, hereby submit our formal request for the General Assembly of Partners, in accordance with its Constitution and Bylaws, to consider our application for the creation of a and (SOGI) Partner Constituent Group.

Millions of LGBTI people live in cities across the world, often migrating to urban areas in search of tolerant and progressive communities. Yet LGBTI people in urban areas continue to face violence and discrimination on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or intersex status (SOGIESC). As a result many LGBTI people living in cities and other urban areas are excluded from essential service provision including health and education services and disproportionately represented in statistics measuring homelessness.

The New Urban Agenda clearly calls for cities that eliminate all forms of discrimination and are just, safe, healthy, accessible and resilient for all. This cannot be achieved without the inclusion of LGBTI people. Civil society is determined to embrace the progressive opportunities that cities provide to address the challenges LGBTI people face and deliver on the commitments made in the New Urban Agenda. .

We recognise the General Assembly of Partners as a self organised coalition of civil society organisations that has helped secure the inclusion of traditionally excluded and marginalised groups and their concerns in the New Urban Agenda and UN Habitat activities. This joint application comes from broad and representative organisations and activists based in the US, UK, Lebanon, India, Russia, Canada, Tanzania, , Ecuador and Turkey that work at the global level, engaging with United Nations processes, as well as at the local level, with LGBTI individuals and communities in cities across the world.

Yours sincerely, Sion Jones - on behalf of the members listed below.

OutRight Action International (United States/Global) The Kaleidoscope Trust (United Kingdom/Global) Helem (Lebanon) Humsafar Trust (India) Russian LGBT Network (Russian Federation) Ellen Woodsworth, Co-Chairperson, Women Transforming Cities International (Canada) CHESA - Community Health Education Services & Advocacy (Tanzania) Seta - LGBT Rights in Finland (Finland) Danilo Manzano, LGBT Rights Activist, Quito (Ecuador) Joy Masuhara, Co-Chairperson, Women Transforming Cities International (Canada) Kaos GL - Kaos and Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Turkey)

APPLICATION FOR GAP MEMBERSHIP

1. Name of applicant: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Partner Constituent Group (see members listed below)

2. Organisation: - All of the proposed member organisations listed below are jointly submitting this application. - Mission: To protect and promote the rights of LGBTI+ people living in cities across the world with particular reference to the challenges LGBTI+ people face living in an urban context by promoting the commitment made in the New Urban Agenda for cities that eliminate all forms of discrimination and are just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable and resilient for all.

3. Proposed PCG Co-Chairs: Option B: Describe the process and timeline for the election of co-chairs

Upon approval as a General Assembly of Partners Partner Constituent Group, the members listed below will be notified. This notification will include a notification that any member may stand for election as co-chair. The notification will also ask for a volunteer election officer, or a volunteer from another PCG may be sought for this role. Those interested in standing for co-chair election will be asked to register their intention to stand with the election officer within 2 weeks and include a brief statement detailing their suitability as co-chair, with reference to the GAP co-chair requirements which will be attached to the notification. The election officer will then arrange an electronic vote within 2 weeks with each member organisation having two votes. The two co-chair candidates with the highest number of votes each will be designated co-chairs.

4. Statement of reasons for seeking membership: LGBTI civil society was active around Habitat III. A side event held during Habitat III discussed the unique challenges and issues facing LGBTI urban residents and community members worked together to create the Queer Declaration outlining how the New Urban Agenda should respond to the human rights of LGBTI people. Whilst the final version of the New Urban Agenda does not specifically refer to the human rights of LGBTI people, it is clear in calling for cities that eliminate all forms of discrimination and that are just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable and resilient for all. LGBTI people exist as urban citizens across the world and have the right to equal and non-discriminatory access to urban services, public spaces, housing and protection. Without the inclusion of LGBTI people in urban life, cities cannot progress and develop for the benefit of all of their residents.

Persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or intersex (LGBTI) experience human rights violations because of their SOGI. These documented violations perpetrated against individuals based on their real or perceived SOGI include killings, violent attacks, torture, arbitrary detention, forced marriage, denial of rights to assembly and expression and discrimination in accessing health care, education, employment and housing. As a result LGBTI people face unique and complex challenges living in cities across the world ranging from housing discrimination to violence and abuse. Where data is available, 25% of the homeless youth population in cities are estimated to be LGBT, often rejected from their families and homes. In most cities in the world, same sex partners do not qualify for the same housing benefits and support as heterosexual couples. HIV prevalence rates are higher in urban areas and disproportionately impact gay and other men who have sex men with men and transgender women, whose needs are often not met by city based health care service providers. . Homophobic and transphobic attacks and violence continue to happen daily in cities across the world.

Intersecting forms of identity alongside sexual orientation and gender identity including sex, race, migratory status, age (both youth and older persons) and religion amongst others, mean LGBTI people face complex discrimination and marginalisation.

Cities also provide opportunities for LGBTI people, providing tolerant communities where they feel welcomed and supported. LGBTI people, often marginalised by society, gather in urban centres where they can meet like minded people. Pride celebrations in cities across the world show the progressive and liberal opportunities that cosmopolitan cities can offer. In a time of nationalistic politics and push back against LGBTI rights at the global and national levels, cities provide opportunities for progressive and liberal agendas to lead the way on inclusion.

Whilst the challenges are many, so are the opportunities. The civil society organisations involved in this application believe that supporting and embracing cities as inclusive, tolerant and progressive communities provides an opportunity to challenge the violence and discrimination that LGBTI people continue to face across the world.

5. Designation of its Partner Constituent Group Name: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Partner Constituent Group

6. Purpose or Mission of the Partner Constituent Group To protect and promote the rights of LGBTI+ people living in cities across the world, with particular reference to the challenges LGBTI+ people face living in an urban context by promoting the commitment made in the New Urban Agenda for cities that eliminate all forms of discrimination and are just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable and resilient for all.

7. List of core organizations and individuals with short description of each:

OutRight Action International (United States/Global) Headquartered in New York with staff based in most regions across the world, OutRight seeks to advance human rights and opportunities for LGBTI people around the world by developing crucial partnerships at global, regional and national levels to build capacity, document violations and advocate for inclusion and equality. They partner with local LGBTI organisations from four global regions and coordinate an LGBTI at the United Nations in New York. With established, productive and trusting relationships with grassroots LGBTI communities worldwide, OutRight Action serve as a bridge between local communities and high impact levers of power.

The Kaleidoscope Trust (United Kingdom/Global) Based in London, the Kaleidoscope Trust works to uphold the human rights of LGBT people in countries where they do not have their equal rights and are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. include establishing the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT Rights, co founding The Commonwealth Equality Network and work with campaigners in a number of countries including Armenia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Ukraine and Trinidad and Tobago.

Helem (Lebanon) Based in Beirut, Helem was the first LGBT advocacy group in the Arab world and is the leading non profit LGBT rights organisation in Lebanon committed to working on improving the legal and social status of LGBT people. Initiatives include social and cultural events to bring the gay community together, work around AIDS and related issues and advocacy for persecuted LGBT individuals. In 2009, Helem received an award by the IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission) for their groundbreaking work.

Humsafar Trust (India) Based in Mumbai and established by a journalist and activist, The Humsafar Trust is the oldest LGBTQ organisation in India and convenes a national level network of organisations working with sexual minorities in India. They conduct advocacy activities with service providers in urban areas including the police, health professionals, lawyers and educational institutions. Other initiatives include research and community based HIV interventions including transgender people and hijra.

Russian LGBT Network (Russian Federation) Based in Saint-Petersburg and working in 16 regions across the Russian Federation, the Russian LGBT Network is a non governmental human rights organisation promoting equal rights and respect for human dignity regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Initiatives include advocacy groups, social and legal services. They have established relationships with the Human Rights Commissioner of Russia, members of the Presidential Council for Human Rights and lobbied against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the recommendations for the Russian Federation by the UN Human Rights Committee.

Ellen Woodsworth, Co-Chairperson, Women Transforming Cities International (Canada) Ellen Woodsworth is the Founder and Co Chairperson of Women Transforming Cities International Society and a former Vancouver City Councillor. She was the host of the LGTBQ2IS meeting which created the Queer Declaration for Habitat 3. She spoke at Youth Habitat on the LGTBQ panel and worked with the Canadian government to host an LGTBQI panel at Habitat 3. As a City Councillor she established the LGTBQI Advisory Committee to Council and is co

creator of the “Advancing Equity and Inclusion: a How to Guide for Municipalities” which includes the City of Vancouver Best Practice 77 Trans Recommendations and how to use an intersectional lens.

CHESA - Community Health Education Services & Advocacy (Tanzania) Established in 2008, CHESA is a registered youth voluntary, non-partisan, non-governmental organisation dedicated to responding to key populations on issues of health education and services. CHESA is the largest and the leading LGBTI organisation in Tanzania and its mission is geared toward having a society free of discrimination, violence and disease and whereby economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights are enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. CHESA values include transparency, responsibility, accountability, dignity, peace and non-discrimination. With recent increase in violations of human rights and violence against the LGBTI community in Tanzania, CHESA is now working to ensure protection of human rights for the community and working to end impunity for those who commit acts against the LGBTI community.

Seta - LGBT Rights in Finland (Finland) Seta aims for a society of equality and individual welfare that includes everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Seta has 24 member organisations around the country, ranging from local branches to national thematic organizations such as the Rainbow Families and elderly LGBTI people’s organisations. The Transgender Support Center is a special unit providing free support and advice related to gender identity and expression. Seta wants to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against LGBTI people in Finnish legislation as well as in all fields and structures of society at national and sub-national levels.

One of the key areas of work of Seta is to promote LGBTI equality at the municipal level for example through training of health sector and education professionals. Seta is one of the partners of the Rainbow Rights -project, supported by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the and led by the Ministry of Justice of Finland. Seta’s role in the project includes for example training, advocacy and awareness-rising activities to promote LGBTI equality at local level as well as cooperation between NGO’s and local public sector actors in five pilot municipalities.

Danilo Manzano, LGBT Rights Activist, Quito (Ecuador) Danilo is a 30 year old activist based in Quito, Ecuador. He works with the Esquel Foundation which has over 25 years of experience in working with civil society organisations in Ecuador. At the foundation he works as a Youth Coordinator creating spaces for dialogue and discussion as well as working on a radio show which promotes discussions around human rights and LGBTI issues. He worked collaboratively on the development of the YouthHab project and the Ecuadorian national survey of young people in the lead up to Habitat III. Danilo was also a panelist at the LGBTI side event during the Habitat III conference.

Joy Masuhara, Co-Chairperson, Women Transforming Cities International (Canada) Dr. Joy Masuhara is a family physician based in Vancouver Canada. She has been involved in LGBTI rights and issues for many years and was one of the litigants in the same-sex marriage legal challenge that resulted in Canada becoming the 3rd nation in the world to allow same-sex marriage. She was involved in the creation of the Queer Declaration that was presented at Habitat III and is currently co-chair of Women Transforming Cities, an NGO in Vancouver that has been working with other women’s groups over the past few years in the Habitat III process.

Kaos GL - Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Turkey) Founded in 1994, Kaos was initially published as a magazine on LGBT issues before being registered as an NGO in 2005. Kaos GL works to address the problems that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people encounter in spheres such as family, education, employment, housing, law, human rights, media, health, sexual health, psychology-psychiatry, and access to goods and services. Kaos GL carries out its work under four main programs - Human Rights, Academic and Cultural Studies, Media and Communications, and Organization and Advocacy. In so doing, Kaos GL is monitoring and reporting human rights violations against LGBTI individuals; providing legal support for LGBTI individuals; legal and social support for LGBTI refugees; human rights training for LGBTI individuals and civil society; and lobbying and advocacy activism in the field of human rights.

Specifically around urban issues, Kaos GL has conducted research and mapping of LGBT friendly non-homophobic spaces in Cankaya municipality, and also works closely with other municipalities in cities across Turkey to train municipality staff in LGBTI rights awareness. Kaos also provides legal services and consulting to LGBTI individuals facing discrimination in housing, health services and employment.