🏦Addressing Institutional Barriers

The fear of reprisals is, by far, the greatest deterrent for LGBTQIA+ people to disclose human rights violations, especially when state actors are involved. The presence of anti-LGBT laws, state efforts to restrict the rights of LGBTQ people, and social exclusion significantly limit LGBTQIA+ people's access to redress.

For instance, a gay man may hesitate to report a case of sextortion as he will have to disclose his sexual orientation in the course of reporting. Additionally, state actors and other institutions may exhibit bias, pressure the complainant to withdraw their complaints, and even use intimidation and hostility against complainants.

Given the harms caused by criminalization and the restrictive legal environment, it is within the interest of organisations responsible for responding to human rights violations and discrimination to support positive legal reform efforts and implement measures to enhance protection for LGBTQIA+ complainants. Supporting legal reforms includes supporting or integrating the following calls or recommendations in your work:

• Decriminalization of LGBTQ people,

• Repeal of anti-LGBT laws and regulations at all levels, including in educational institutions

• Legal gender recognition for trans, intersex, and non-binary people

• Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of SOGIESC and explicit inclusion of SOGIESC as grounds of discrimination in policies and complaint mechanisms