LGBT Concerns and International Psychology

The International Network on Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Concerns & Transgender Issues in Psychology (International Network) was formed in 2005 and is composed of national, multinational, and international psychological associations.

Membership

• About The International Network (PDF, 58KB)

• À propos du Réseau international (PDF, 243KB)

International Policy

• International Council for Science (ICSU)
  Universality of Science statement includes gender identity and sexual orientation.
  September, 2011

• International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS)
  Policy on Free Circulation of Scientists including non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. July, 2010 

National Policy

• APA policy statements related to LGBT concerns

• Statement of the Psychological Association of the Philippines on Non-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression

• Conselho Federal de Psicologia, Brazil, Resolution 1/99: Establishes professional conduct standards for psychologists with regard to Sexual Orientation (PDF, 58KB)

International Psychology Conferences, Conventions & Congresses

• 30th International Congress of Psychology, July 22-27, 2012
  - International Network Brochure Calling for LGBTI Programming (PDF, 48KB)
  - Française (PDF, 167KB) 

• Ecuador to crack down on clinics that 'cure' gays
  January 27, 2012

• First ever report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (PDF, 706KB).
  December 15, 2011

• UNESCO leads a landmark anti-bullying initiative, first-ever international consultation to address bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) students in educational institutions.
  December 13, 2011

• The 30th General Assembly of the International Council for Science (ICSU), meeting in Rome in September, 2011, updated its Principle of Universality, ICSU Statue 5. One change was to expressly oppose discrimination based on factors including gender identity and sexual orientation. Statue 5 is also now referenced in the ICSU statement on the Universality of Science. December 7, 2011

• White House issues Presidential Memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies:  International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons; watch Secretary Clinton’s International Human Rights Day speech to the U.N. on LGBT rights.  View the Transcript.  December 6, 2011

• Associación de Psicología de Puerto Rico denuncia la discriminación sobre el matrimonio
  Resolución: Para Rechazar la Discriminación Sobre el Matrimonio del Mismo Sexo y Recomendar que el Gobierno de Puerto Rico lo Reconozca
  (The Puerto Rico Psychological Association denounces discrimination on marriage Resolution: To Reject Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriage and Recommend that the Government of Puerto Rico Recognize it) November 11, 2011

• Statement of the Psychological Association of the Philippines on non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression
  Adopted October, 2011
  

• ARC International
  Since 2003, ARC International has been advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. ARC plays a unique role in facilitating strategic planning around LGBT issues internationally, strengthening global networks, and enhancing access to UN mechanisms. It is the only organization with a full-time presence in Geneva committed to advancing LGBT issues within the UN human rights system.

• The Council for Global Equality
  The Council for Global Equality brings together international human rights activists, foreign policy experts, LGBT leaders, philanthropists and corporate officials to encourage a clearer and stronger American voice on human rights concerns impacting LGBT communities around the world. Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity References (PDF, 712KB) in U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report for 2010 (Released April 8, 2011).

• International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
  The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, public opinion, the media, etc. to homophobia and transphobia, and to promote a world of tolerance, respect and freedom regardless of people's sexual orientation or gender identity. May 17 was chosen to commemorate the decision taken by the World Health Organization in 1990 to take homosexuality out of the list of mental disorders. As much as it is a day against violence and oppression, it is a day for freedom, diversity and acceptance.

• The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)
  The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission is a leading international organization dedicated to human rights advocacy on behalf of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
  
       - The Courage Unfolds Campaign and video highlight the issues faced
         by LGBT people in Asia and encourage the use of the Yogyakarta
         Principles as a tool to promote LGBT human rights.

• The International Lesbian & Gay Association (ILGA)
  The International Lesbian & Gay Association's aim is to work for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and their liberation from all forms of discrimination. ILGA is comprised of 690 member groups from 110 countries. The ILGA homepage has an interactive map that allows visitors to research the status of laws globally, both favorable and unfavorable, that affect LGBT people.

• Research Institute Without Walls
  The Research Institute Without Walls (RIWW) was founded to facilitate international and collaborative LGBT research. RIWW's community-based and multicenter research brings together researchers, activists, and providers who are interested in documenting the human rights, mental health needs, and resilience of LGBT persons around the world. Their goal is to bring together LGBT mental health professionals and human rights advocates and researchers.

United Nations

• United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCRH)
  The Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights is committed to working with States, national human rights institutions and civil society to achieve progress towards the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality and further measures to protect people from violence and discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• First ever report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (PDF, 706KB).
  December 15, 2011

• Navi Pillay Video Message
  May 6, 2011
  United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has renewed her call for States to confront prejudice towards lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) persons.

• Activities of the Human Rights Office
  Combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

• The UN Speaks Out Brochure
  Tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. 

United Nations Human Rights Council

• Resolution L.9/Rev.1: Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity (Available in all official languages of the UN)
  June 17, 2011
  First-ever UN resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity 

• Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  16th Session, March 22, 2011
  The United States joined 84 other countries signing on to this statement.

• NGO Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Human Rights (PDF, 61KB)
  16th Session, March 22, 2011
  APA joined more than 119 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from more than 60 countries signing on to this statement.

• Human Rights Council
  An inter-governmental body within the UN system made up of 47 states responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

• UNESCO leads a landmark anti-bullying initiative, first-ever international consultation to address bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) students in educational institutions
  December 13, 2011

Organization of American States

• Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity (DOC, 33KB) 
  Adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 7, 2011.

Yogyakarta Principles

• Yogyakarta Principles
  In 2006, in response to well-documented patterns of abuse, a distinguished group of international human rights experts met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to outline a set of international principles relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. The result was the Yogyakarta Principles: a universal guide to human rights which affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply. They promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and rights can fulfill that precious birthright. 

Other Resources

• Struggle for equality: Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights in Africa
  January 2011, Perspectives
  Heinrich Böll Foundation, Southern Africa

Research

• Cross-National Study by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), shows vast majority of countries have become more accepting of homosexuality; trend slower or reversed in Russia and other ex-socialist countries. May, 2011