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Advocacy & Policy:

LGBTQ+ Public Policy

Scientific psychological knowledge based on relevant research can contribute to the formulation of sound organizational and public policy to address specific issues and concerns that affect the health and human rights of sexual orientation and gender diverse people. Increasingly, psychology and related fields, along with regional and global health and human rights organizations and governments, are making a valuable contribution.

IPsyNet statement and commitment

A first-of-its-kind statement endorsed by psychology organizations from every region of the world in support of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people, and affirmative and inclusive mental health services.

IPsyNet member policy resolutions

Australia

Philippines

United Kingdom

United States

  • Amicus Briefs: Since 1984, APA has provided research based perspectives on a range of issues related to sexual orientation in dozens of legal cases. Topics include adoption, child custody, marriage, military service and sodomy laws.

  • APA policy statements related to LGBT concerns: Since 1975, APA has adopted numerous policy resolutions related to sexual orientation and gender diversity.

Additional psychology and other mental health organizational policies

International

State and Regional

Psychology and public policy

IPsyNet

  • IPsyNet sign on letter (PDF, 145KB) to President Museveni of Uganda providing scientific information about homosexuality and encouraging him to reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. February 14, 2014.

India

South Africa

United States

Civil society

  • Since 2003, ARC International (ARC) has been advancing LGBT rights. ARC plays a unique role in facilitating strategic planning around LGBT issues internationally, strengthening global networks and enhancing access to United Nations mechanisms. It is the only organization with a full-time presence in Geneva committed to advancing LGBT issues within the United Nations human rights system.

  • The Council for Global Equality brings together international human rights activists, foreign policy experts, LGBT leaders, philanthropists and corporate officials to encourage a clearer and stronger American voice on human rights concerns impacting LGBT communities around the world. U.S. Department of State's 2013 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: societal abuses discrimination, and acts of violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Released February 2014.

  • The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) theme for 2016 is mental health and well-being. IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, public opinion, the media, etc. to homophobia and transphobia, and to promote a world of tolerance, respect and freedom regardless of people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. May 17 was chosen to commemorate the decision made by the World Health Organization in 1990 to take homosexuality out of the list of mental disorders. As much as it is a day against violence and oppression, it is a day for freedom, diversity and acceptance.

  • The International Lesbian and Gay Association’s (ILGA) aim is to work for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and their liberation from all forms of discrimination. ILGA is comprised of 690 member groups from 110 countries. The ILGA homepage has an interactive map that allows visitors to research the status of laws globally, both favorable and unfavorable, that affect LGBT people.

  • Expanded Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda: A flawed Narrative. Empirical evidence and strategic alternatives from an African perspective, by Sexual Minorities Uganda, January 2014. This report explores the various attempts to rationalize expanded criminalization of homosexuality under the Anti-Homosexuality bill passed by the Ugandan Parliament on January 14, 2014, and draws upon documents from a number of psychological organizations around the world to address the question, “Is homosexuality mutable and a mental disorder?”

  • The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A national think tank at University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public. 

    Experts at the Williams Institute have authored dozens of public policy studies and law review articles, filed amicus briefs in key court cases, provided expert testimony at legislative hearings, been widely cited in the national media and trained thousands of lawyers, judges and members of the public.

  • Colombian Constitutional Court Relies on Social Science Studies in Decision Allowing Same-sex Couples to Adopt
    The Colombian Constitutional Court ruled on November 4, 2015, that same-sex couples in Colombia can adopt children. Williams Institute scholars filed a brief with the court that reviewed social science research on psychological, emotional and educational outcomes of children of same-sex parents.

Human rights bodies

United Nations

  • International day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published a statement and launched a new campaign video for the May 17, 2016 international celebration.

  • Joint UN Statement on Ending Violence and Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People: On September 29, 2015, 12 United Nations (UN) entities (International Labor Organization; Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; UN AIDS Secretariat; UN Development Programme; UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; UN Population Fund; the UN High Commissioner on Refugees; UN Children’s Fund; the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Women, World Food Program and World Health Organization) released an unprecedented joint statement calling for an end to violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. The statement is a powerful call to action to governments to do more to tackle homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination and abuses against intersex people, and an expression of the commitment on the part of UN entities to support member states to do so. The statement is available in all six UN languages.

  • United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: On September 26, 2014, the UNHRC adopted a resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity with 25 voting in favor, 14 against and seven abstentions. The resolution expresses 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, and requested the high commissioner to update the report entitled “Discriminatory Laws and Practices and Acts of Violence Against Individuals Based on Their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” with a view to sharing good practices and ways to overcome violence and discrimination.

  • Discussion Paper on Transgender Health and Human Rights: This paper aims to inform United Nations Development Programme’s work on transgender health and human right to foster greater understanding on the health and human rights issues that impact trans people and consequently influence their social marginalization. December 2013.

  • Born Free and Equal: United Nations Human Rights Office publication on sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law. September 2012.

  • United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights: The Office of the high commissioner on human rights is committed to working with States, national human rights institutions and civil society to achieve progress towards the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality and further measures to protect people from violence and discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • First ever report of the UN high commissioner for human rights: Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (PDF, 706KB).

  • Navi Pillay Video Message: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has renewed her call for states to confront prejudice towards LGBT persons. May 2011.

  • Activities of the Human Rights Office: Combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  • The UN Speaks Out Brochure (PDF, 1293 KB): Tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

United Nations Human Rights Council

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO leads a landmark anti-bullying initiative, first-ever international consultation to address bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex students in educational institutions, December 13, 2011.

Organization of American States

Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity (PDF, 10.9 KB) adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 7, 2011.

Yogyakarta Principles

In 2006, in response to well-documented patterns of abuse, a distinguished group of international human rights experts met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to outline a set of international principles relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. The result was the Yogyakarta Principles: a universal guide to human rights which affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply. They promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and rights can fulfill that precious birthright.

 Governmental actions

Ecuador

European Union

United States

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