• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights

    People around the world face violence and inequality – and sometimes torture, even execution – because of who they love, how they look, or who they are.

    Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse.

    Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues.

    We document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including torture, killing and executions, arrests under unjust laws, unequal treatment, censorship, medical abuses, discrimination in health and jobs and housing, domestic violence, abuses against children, and denial of family rights and recognition.

    We advocate for laws and policies that will protect everyone’s dignity. We work for a world where all people can enjoy their rights fully.

    Photo: © The Rainbow Project, Namibia 2001.

  • A lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights activist holds a torn poster during clashes with opponents at a rally in Kiev, Ukraine on December 8, 2012.
    © 2012 Reuters
    Ukraine: Investigate Attacks on Peaceful Protest
    The Ukrainian government should condemn homophobic speech and attacks on a peaceful protest in Kiev on December 8, 2012.
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LGBT Rights

  • Ukraine: Investigate Attacks on Peaceful Protest
    Dec 18, 2012
    The Ukrainian government should condemn homophobic speech and attacks on a peaceful protest in Kiev on December 8, 2012.
  • Cameroon: Court Upholds Unjust ‘Homosexuality’ Conviction
    Dec 18, 2012
    A Cameroonian appeals court decision on December 17, 2012, upholding a criminal conviction for homosexuality demonstrates that basic human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are under assault in Cameroon. The court upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence for Roger Jean-Claude Mbede, a university student charged with homosexuality, and ordered his arrest.
  • UN: Ban Ki-Moon Condemns Homophobic Laws
    Dec 17, 2012
    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking at a celebration for International Human Rights Day, emphasized that human rights are universal and apply to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people along with everyone else. The event was held on December 11, 2012, at the UN in New York.
  • Russia: Reject Homophobic Bill
    Dec 10, 2012
    Russia’s parliament should reject a proposed bill that would violate Russians’ freedom of expression and discriminate against and stigmatize Russia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
  • Malaysia: Respect Rights of LGBT People
    Dec 5, 2012

    The Malaysian government should end rights-violating and discriminatory government policies that vilify members of Malaysia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

  • Letter to Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohammed Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak regarding discriminatory LGBT rights policy.
    Dec 4, 2012
  • UN: Seminal Vote on Gender Identity
    Nov 21, 2012
    An international coalition of organizations dedicated to human rights celebrated yesterday’s historic vote in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly to pass resolution A/C.3/67/L.36 condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. The vote reversed the events of 2010 when the same body voted to strip the resolution of reference to “sexual orientation.” The UNGA also expanded upon its commitment to the universality of human rights by including “gender identity” for the first time in the resolution’s history.
  • Two steps forward, one step back
    Nov 8, 2012
    Two resolutions adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council during the past 16 months represent potential advances and setbacks for the global lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights movement. One is concerned with defending sexual orientation and gender identity; the other with protecting traditional values. Together they represent divergent views on the universality and indivisibility of human rights.
  • US: State Votes a Global Victory for Gay Rights
    Nov 7, 2012
    The successful ballot initiatives on same-sex marriage in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State on November 6, 2012, were major victories for gay rights both in the United States and globally.
  • New Zealand: Letter to Members of Parliament Regarding Marriage Equality Bill
    Nov 6, 2012
    On the eve of your parliamentary debates regarding whether to support marriage equality in New Zealand, I invite you to look back to a country that went through the same discussions and soul searching about 15 years ago.
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