How is health a human rights issue for LGBTI persons? What are the issues and how are they human rights issues? There is a plethora of issues that affect the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, many of which are issues relating to human rights. Around the world and in all societies, LGBTI persons face discrimination and marginalisation which puts them at risk of not being able to…
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Table A: International Human Rights Instruments and Protected Rights and Fundamental Freedoms UDHR ICCPR ICESCR CEDAW ICERD CRC Yogyakarta Principles Life Art. 3 Art. 6(1) Art. 6(1) Principle 4 Torture or Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment* Art. 5 Art. 7 Art. 37(a) Principle 10 Bodily Integrity Non-Discrimination and Equality Art. 1 Art. 2 Art. 2(1), Art.…
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Table 1: LGBTI Health and the Right to Life Examples of Human Rights Violations National laws which impose the death penalty for sexual activity between persons of the same sex. Police officers are not tried or prosecuted for the rape and murder of a homeless transgender person. LGBTI communities are denied access to services to prevent HIV. No laws are in place prohibiting hate crimes, including violence against LGBTI persons,…
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Table 2: LGBTI Health and Freedom from Torture or Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment Examples of Human Rights Violations A psychiatrist provides “treatment” to an LGBTI person with electric shock or hormone therapy without consent. A gay man in prison is denied a bed and repeatedly assaulted and raped by cell mates, with the complicity or inaction of prison guards and correctional officials. Police torture a lesbian couple, because of…
Table 3: LGBTI Health and the Right to Bodily Integrity Examples of Human Rights Violations A transsexual or transgender person is raped or assaulted by police. A lesbian is raped by family friends to “make her straight”. The police fail to investigate beatings and sexual assaults of men having sex with men. Schools fail to protect students from attacks for sexual or gender non-conformity. A transgender person is sterilized against his…
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Table 4: LGBTI Health and the Right to Non-discrimination Examples of Human Rights Violations A person is denied a job, housing, health care, education, or access to goods and services because of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. A TV program is prohibited by authorities because it features a same-sex kiss while allowing different-sex kisses to be aired regularly. An organization for boys (e.g, Boy Scouts) denies membership to LGBTI…
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Table 5: LGBTI Health and the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health Examples of Human Rights Violations A national health system fails to provide anti-retroviral treatment to LGBTI people while making it accessible to others. Perceived LGBTI persons are treated with stigma and judgmental attitudes in the health system and therefore are not providing equal levels of health. Because of stigma in the health system LGBTI individuals do…
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Table 6: LGBTI Health and the Right to Privacy Examples of Human Rights Violations A penal code that punishes non-reproductive sex, such as any form of anal or oral sex, or same-sex sexual behaviour. Police officials keep lists of “suspected homosexuals” with photographs and fingerprints. A newspaper publishes an article condemning the sexual orientation of a teacher or journalist. Police or public health officials release the photos of suspected…
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Table 7: LGBTI Health and Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Detention Examples of Human Rights Violations A gay man is arrested without charge by undercover police officers. A lesbian adolescent is detained without charge after her parents discover her sexual orientation and call the police. A transgender is detained at a border for “suspicious behavior.” A transgender person suffers from illegal profiling. Yogyakarta Principle Principle 7: No one shall be…
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Table 8: LGBTI Health and Freedom of Assembly and Association Examples of Human Rights Violations A government prohibits and criminalizes any associations for promotion of LGBTI rights, or refuses to register an LGBTI association. A gay pride parade is banned by city authorities. Police allow individuals opposing a LGBTI rights protest to commit violent acts against those protesting. Yogyakarta Principle Principle 20: Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful…
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