Contribute to a UN mandate report on lesbian, bisexual, and queer women
Summary:
Latest update: 19 January 2026
The UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity is seeking input on a critical issue impacting populations within our global community: the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women.
Before his report is presented at the 62nd UN Human Rights Council later this year, activists worldwide have the unique opportunity to share valuable insights on the topic: the call for input is open until 15 February 2026 (new deadline)!
Why is it important to focus on violence and discrimination affecting lesbian, bisexual, and queer women?
Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women experience unique vulnerabilities, facing violence and discrimination both because they are women and because of hostile attitudes towards their sexual orientation.
Society frequently ignores or dismisses their relationships and identities, making it harder to get support when they need it, affecting their safety, income, and access to services. In many places, silence, stigma, or laws targeting people who engage in consensual same-sex sexual acts increase the risk of violence and isolation — especially for those who are young, poor, or from marginalised communities.
States and policy makers do not always address these vulnerabilities adequately, even within commonly-used women’s rights or LGBT rights frameworks. In his upcoming report, the Independent Experto on SOGI aims to center the voices and experiences of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, to better understand how various political and civil systems impact their ability to live free from violence and discrimination.
An important note on inclusion
The United Nations Independent Expert on SOGI explicitly recognises that lesbian, bisexual, and queer identities encompass a diverse range of experiences — including those of trans women who identify as lesbian or bisexual, and/or queer.
His report will also aim to document intersecting experiences of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Inform the report by the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
You too can inform the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’s report on violence and discrimination experienced by LBQ women!
- Present an individual submission: find all information on how to do it here
- Join forces with ILGA World! We will draft a joint submission, and look forward to hearing from you! If you have information, cases, testimonies, and any kind of data related to violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer in your country, please send your inputs to sp (a) ilga (dot) org before 31 January 2026 (new deadline). Let’s do this together!
