Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights

Amnesty International believes that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy the full range of human rights, without exception. However, every day, across the globe, sexual orientation or gender identity leads to abuse in the form of discrimination, violence, imprisonment, torture, or even execution. Persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity can take a variety of forms and these contravene the basic tenets of international human rights law. By highlighting instances of abuse against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, Amnesty's activists work to protect members of the LGBT community whilst striving to achieve decriminalization and marriage equality.

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Latest on LGBT Human Rights			Expand [+]
» ACTIONS	» NEWS	» REPORTS	» RESOURCES
Support LGBT Rights Activists Fight for Uganda	USA: Proposition 8 overturned in California	Cameroon: Impunity underpins persistent abuse	Report: Love, hate and the law: decriminalizing homosexuality
Gay Men Face Attacks in Iraq	Malawi couple could face further harassment	Love, hate and the law: decriminalizing homosexuality	Report: Overview of Lesbian and Gay Rights in Eastern Europe 2008
Promote the rights of sexual minorities in India	Malawian couple sentenced to 14 years hard labour for 'gross indecency'	Russian Federation: Freedom limited - the right to freedom of expression in the Russian Federation	Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People in the US
Support marriage equality in Mexico	Malawian couple convicted of 'gross indecency' must be released		Other LGBT websites

Celebrate LGBT Pride Month

In May 2010, Malawian gay couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were sentenced to serve the maximum possible sentence of 14 years in prison for committing unnatural acts and gross indecency.

Because our activists joined the voice of the international community in demanding these individuals not be persecuted because of their love, the couple was released on May 29, 2010. This was great news going into June, LGBT Pride Month. However, there is still much work to be done. Join us this month as we shine a light on LGBT cases around the world and further the cause of equality and human rights for all.

» Read more about Monjeza and Chimbalanga
» Take action and raise your voice with the LGBT community

LGBT Human Rights Defenders, Oundo George and Klilza Brenda, released from Prison in Uganda

On September 17, 2008, Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders were released after a week in police detention at Nabweru Police Post. They were released on bond, after being charged for 'involvement in indecent practices.'

In detention, both were denied food for the first three days, despite the fact that Oundo George is diabetic. Oundo George was also denied medical treatment for his diabetes, which left him unwell after his condition worsened. They only received food when family and friends were able to bring it to them.

The police sought information from Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda in order to identify other LGBT individuals. They were repeatedly beaten and mistreated whilst in detention. They were interrogated while being slapped and beaten with wooden batons, during which police demanded that they provide the names of, or further identify, other LGBT individuals.

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AI and Mozaika show Solidarity during Riga Pride 2008

International solidarity was a key strategy for marchers in Riga's pride parade on Saturday, May 31st in Latvia's capital city. Amnesty International members from sections across Europe as well as numerous MPs and politicians marched to show their support for LGBT human rights in Latvia. The estimated 300 marchers, led by Latvian LGBT organization Mozaika, were outnumbered by anti-LGBT protestors held at bay by Riga police. In the weeks leading up to the pride march, some serious threats of violence were received by the event organizers, so marchers were apprehensive. Fortunately, none of the threats came to fruition and no of the marchers were attacked.

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Marriage Equality

The right of adults to enter into consensual marriage is enshrined in international human rights standards. Amnesty International believes that the denial of equal civil recognition of same-sex relationships prevents many people from accessing a range of other rights and stigmatizes those relationships in ways that can fuel discrimination and other human rights abuses against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. » Learn more

» Marriage Equality in California
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Decriminalization

People detained or imprisoned solely because of their homosexuality — including those individuals prosecuted for having sex in circumstances which would not be criminal for heterosexuals, or for their gender identity — are considered to be prisoners of conscience and Amnesty International calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Amnesty International also calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality where such legislation remains.