annual report 2016 Strengthening each other Thanks and acknowledgements The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is grateful for the work and support of its volunteers, staff and Executive Board. A heartfelt thank you goes to the members of ILGA: not only for their financial support, but also for the time and energy they commit to furthering ILGA’s aims and objectives. Last but not least, our thanks to the following organisations: ILGA’s 2016 Annual Report was coordinated and edited by Daniele Paletta. Managed by Renato Sabbadini. Spanish translation: Paul Caballero Graphic design: Luca Palermo for EdLine Adv Pictures (unless otherwise stated, and except pages 16-17 and 40): Jacuzzi News This annual report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2016. 02 | ILGA Annual Report 2016 Advancing equality The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is a worldwide federation of organisations committed to equal human rights for LGBTI people and their liberation from all forms of discrimination. Founded in 1978, it enjoys consultative status at the United Nations, where it speaks and lobbies on behalf of more than 1,200 member organisations from 132 countries. Vision Strategic plan 2014-2018 ILGA is committed to help shap- become a representative voice rights standards and principles ing a world where the human of LGBTI civil society within without discrimination based on rights of all are respected; where international organisations, par- sexual orientation, gender iden- everyone can live in equality and ticularly the United Nations, tity and/or gender expression, freedom; where global justice through collaboration, engage- and sex (intersex). and equity are assured and es- ment, and support of members and partners. reinforce and develop ILGA’s or- tablished regardless of the peo- ganisational capacity (Executive ple’s sexual orientations, gender promote diversity, advance Board, staff, regions and mem- identities, gender expressions equality and effective applica- bers) to achieve political, social and sex. tion and enjoyment of human and institutional change. Mission act as a leading organisation and a global voice for the rights of those who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression and sex (intersex). work towards achieving equality, freedom and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people through advocacy, collaborative action, and by educating and informing relevant international and regional institutions as well as governments, media and civil society. empower our members and other human rights organisations in promoting and protecting human rights, irrespective of people’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression and sex (intersex), and to facilitate cooperation and solidarity among ILGA regions and members. promote the diversity and strengths of LGBTI people around the world. ILGA Annual Report 2016 | 03 ph. ILGA video archives ILGA is proud to be the global civil society are shrinking global- voice of networks, communities ly. The days in Bangkok where em- ear friends, and movements tirelessly com- powering, and we witnessed how D mitted to shaping a world where far this 39-year-old organisation ILGA shares a vision with the global everyone can live safely, equal- has grown in its capacity to repre- community of LGBTI human rights ly and free. The document you sent our movements. defenders and allies. It is a vision are about to read captures the of a world where - regardless of essence of the work we have do- During the conference, we were a person’s sexual orientation, ne to help support them, and to honoured to be entrusted to con- gender identity, gender expres- help strengthen the complex and tinue leading ILGA for another sion and sex characteristics - the resilient web of links among two years. We look forward to human rights of all are respected. human rights defenders who con- strengthening its capacity and to tinue to work at local, national, building partnerships with more Sadly, this past year gave us regional and international levels. communities and movements. We constant, sobering reminders are proud of this organisation, of how this vision is not shared All around the world, our mem- and we will continue to ensure by everybody. We witnessed hu- ber organisations continue to that ILGA remains an inclusive and man rights violations continuing challenge oppressive and dis- respected leader for the LGBTI unabated in all parts of the globe, criminatory systems that put our movement on the global stage. extremist movements subjecting lives at risk, violate our bodies, people to horrific violence, and disregard our rights and deny In solidarity, hate preachers trying to pit mi- us equal opportunities. This norities against each other with struggle can be a heavy burden Ruth Baldacchino, their messages of intolerance. to carry, but we want our commu- Helen Kennedy nities to remember that we fight co-Secretaries General And yet, 2016 showed us an en- this injustice together. lightening side, a side full of This is one reason why an event moments to celebrate. We wit- like our World Conference is so im- nessed energising demonstra- portant. Occasions where people tions of how powerful our commu- fighting injustices can gather and nities can be when we join forces discuss ways to advance equality to speak out against injustices for everybody are now more es- and pave the way towards change. sential than ever, as spaces for 04 | ILGA Annual Report 2016 2016 has been a year in which ILGA expanded its output considerably, reaping the seeds planted since its arrival in Geneva. During this year, ILGA has provided activists, media organisations and partners with eight high-quality publications: crucial advocacy and education tools like its authoritative State Sponsored Homophobia report, which has now reached its 11th ph. ILGA video archives edition, but also the Trans Legal Mapping Report, The ILGA-RIWI offered 9 pre-conferences, 30 the establishment of a United Global Attitudes Survey on LGBTI workshops, 20 Rainbow Talks Nations Independent Expert on People, the research on Sexual and one panel on the strategic protection against violence and Orientation, Gender Identity and relevance of LGBTI-related data, discrimination based on sexual Expression, and Sex Character- along with a series of side events orientation and gender identity. covering issues ranging from istics at the UPR, the guide on All of the above sets a new kind Advocating on Gender Identity the 10th anniversary of the Yogyakarta Principles to the of expectation in relation to what and Gender Expression – The ILGA can do, and to the quality Committee on Economic, Social state of LGBTI human rights in Commonwealth countries. of our work. Inevitably, greater and Cultural Rights, two annual human and financial resources compilations for the Treaty This considerable growth in ac- will be needed to keep pace and Bodies and a summary of the 12 tivities was made possible not serve our communities even Special Procedures’ references only by key strategic partner- better: securing new funding by on SOGIESC issues. ships with several organisations, exploring untapped resources, More than 150 activists received but also thanks to the increasing along with those that have tradi- training, either in Geneva or at specialization of our staff in col- tionally supported our work, will regional and world conferences, lecting and analyzing data and be key to our growth, thus har- on issues such as digital secu- information gathered by ILGA nessing the energy of a broader rity and advocacy at the United members. community for the benefit of all. Nations. Over 50 media organ- Moreover, long-established and Renato Sabbadini isations from across the world consolidated relationships with Executive Director have documented our work, fellow human rights organisa- while more than 700 participants tions and allied governments attended the ILGA World Confer- have allowed ILGA to lead the ence in Bangkok. The conference campaign which resulted in ILGA Annual Report 2016 | 05 2016 in numbers 2016 in numbers North America 103 Europe 532 Latin America & Caribbean 300 06 | ILGA Annual Report 2016 1,228 member organisations 5 awareness-raising events hosted during three from 132 countries representing 6 regions sessions of the UN Human Rights Council 1 world conference, gathering more than 8 new publications released 700 participants from 101 countries, who attended 9 Pre-conferences, 1,300 persons visiting our website every day 20 Rainbow Talks and 30 workshops under the assistance of 120 volunteers 10,039 Facebook page likes (+ 47.4% compared to December 2015) 3 regional conferences 14,248 Twitter followers more than 150 activists trained (+ 36.8% compared to December 2015) ILGA World staff team grown to 238 LinkedIn followers (+ 526.3% compared to December 2015) persons based in Geneva and consultants 7 2 new videos uploaded to our Youtube channel 30 statements delivered at the UN Human 42 Rights Council raising LGBTI issues issues of the LGBulleTIn published 40 UPR Advocacy weeks co-organised 2 15 media releases and statements issued 7 LGBTI human rights defenders interviewed for the ILGA meets… series 72,000,000 estimated online or print readership exposed to ILGA information and publications. Here are a few media outlets that quoted us during 2016: Asia 139 Africa 105 Oceania 49 ILGA Annual Report 2016 | 07 THE 2016