International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Declaration by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition

On the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the Equal Rights Coalition reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding, advancing, and advocating in favor of the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) persons worldwide.

Since its foundation in 2016 at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference in Montevideo, the ERC has advanced the human rights of LGBTIQ persons and promoted inclusive development, in both member and non-member countries, by engaging with civil society organizations, multilateral agencies, and activists from all over the world. 

Its current co-chairs, Mexico and Germany and their respective civil society counterparts, Fundación Arcoiris and LSVD, reaffirm their dedication to the mission of the Coalition to foster collaboration and dialogue among its multiple members and stakeholders with the aim to putting an end to the global and systemic patterns of violence, discrimination, and criminalization faced by LGBTIQ persons. 

Such a commitment is especially important in times like these, when so many communities and individuals across the world are experiencing the consequences of increased vitriol and phobia directed towards them on the basis of their sexual orientation, their gender identity and expression, and their sex characteristics. 

We see with concern the irruption of anti-rights movements around the world operating through various interconnected ways, such as the many legislative attempts to criminalize advocacy for equal rights, even risking the lives of LGBTIQ individuals in different jurisdictions, as well as those that aim to threaten access and availability of gender-affirming medical care and treatments. 

We oppose the violence experienced by intersex individuals, especially children, who are subjected to harmful and medically unnecessary procedures and treatments in medical settings, often without their consent. 

We acknowledge the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against LBTIQ women, and support the enactment of laws and policies to prevent gender-based violence, promote gender equality, and disaggregate data about LBTIQ violence while preventing, punishing and eradicating discrimination and violence against LBTIQ women.

We recognize that LGBTIQ persons also face multiple and differentiated forms of violence based on their gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion, sex characteristics, and social class which leads to aggravated forms of discrimination, exclusion and violence in the public and private spheres and further affects the full guarantee of their rights.

We stand in support of all LGBTIQ persons, including transgender, non-binary, and gender-variant individuals worldwide, who find themselves facing increased victimization because of their mere existence, and experiencing extreme politicization of their rights and freedoms by their detractors. 

As part of our commitment to advancing the rights and freedoms of LGBTIQ persons worldwide through dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy, we as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition will continue to mobilize this mechanism in support and defense of our human rights goals in close cooperation with our global stakeholders and civil society.