Global LGBTI Rights & the Right to Health
In 2016, people still face high rates of violence, abuse and discrimination in many different aspects of their lives simply because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or/and gender identity. Worldwide, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a critical and politically charged arena where the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and interest (LGBTI) people are contested.
Consistent patterns of homophobic and transphobic violence, discriminatory and insufficient hate crime legislation and laws that criminalise same sex intimacy have detrimental effects to the right to health and access to healthcare for LGBTI people. The rights to health link closely to LGBTI rights. For instance, criminalization of homosexuality has driven people into the closet and led to faster, greater spread of the HIV epidemic and other STIs. In some countries, health care professionals may choose to refuse to treat patients identifying as LGBT, and in the most extreme cases, health workers and any other ally could even be prosecuted if they do not report LGBT people to the government. For those who are intersex and/or transsexual, global health care systems have sometimes institutionalised oppression, while in other circumstances they have acted as staunch advocates for equality.
Leda Avgousti is the Researcher/ Advisor on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression for the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London, and will present case studies and concepts on these issues, followed by Q&A. Leda offers advice on sexual orientation and gender identity for Amnesty at the global level and conducts research on key LGBTI priorities for the Amnesty International movement. In over 8 years of professional activity and as an activist in the human rights field, she has focused on several thematic human rights areas including crosscutting gender issues: gender based discrimination, violence against women, Human Trafficking, and LGBTI rights, her primary interest and area of expertise, in the Europe and Central Asia region but also in Africa and Asia.
These experiences have offered her a dynamic overview and knowledge of the field. She has developed and implemented campaigns, mobilised communities of activists on campaigns and actions, created and managed sustainable partnerships for change. As a Researcher but also previously as a Campaigner, an activist and as manager of partnership projects, including with local LGBTI organisations, Leda has engaged on project development for human rights impact and is proud to have witnessed change on LGBTI rights, having collaborated closely with truly inspiring human rights activists, defenders and civil society.
Also in the series:
- Wednesday 10th - Paris is Burning
- Thursday 11th – Gender Identities & Public Health
- Tuesday 16th – What is the best sex with the least harm?
- Tuesday 23rd – ‘The Circle’ as part of the Out on Tuesday film series
- Thursday 25th – Why do LGBT Communities take so many drugs?
Admission