LGBT Concerns and International Psychology

• Boletín Diversidad
  Comité de Asuntos de la Comunidad LGBT
  Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico
  
  El Comité Permanente de Asuntos de la Comunidad de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Transgéneros (LGBT) tiene como tarea y misión servir como grupo asesor de la presidencia de la Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico (APPR) en lo concerniente al trabajo de la APPR sobre lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transgéneros.

• The Psychological Association of the Philippines takes first ever step advocating for non-discrimination policy:
  Letter to the Cebu City Council (PDF, 370KB),  Aug. 7, 2012
  Queenly move: Cebu City acts for non-discrimination outrage, Oct. 22, 2012

• Editorial: Homosexuality and India (PDF, 427KB)
  Indian Journal of Psychiatry, January-March 2012

• American Psychiatric Association letter to Ugandan leaders expressing "grave concern" over "Anti-Homosexuality Bill." (PDF, 39KB)

• Arcus Foundation grant supports work of the International Network on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns and Transgender Issues in Psychology

• 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) Nov. 11, 2011

• APA Proposes Deletion of Sexual Orientation Diagnoses in ICD-10
  APA recommended to the World Health Organization that the category of classifications on psychological and behavioral disorders associated with sexual development and orientation (F66) be deleted from ICD-10.

• Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) Opposes Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
  PsySSA issues statement (PDF, 107KB) calling for Uganda to abandon "Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009"; Invites mental health professionals around the world to endorse.
  
     - The Colombian Society of Psychology endorses statement by the Psychological Society of South Africa opposing the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill 
  

Governmental Actions

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

• 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. Dec. 6, 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 in U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report for 2011 (Released May, 2012).

• 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. Also: APA observance of IDAHO.

• 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.

Systems and Documents

United Nations

• Born Free and Equal
  United Nations Human Rights Office publication on sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law.
  September 2012

• 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).
  Dec. 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

• Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (A/HRC/22/53)
  Inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the report and in conclusions and recommendations.
  Feb. 1, 2013 

• The United Nations Human Rights Council held its first dedicated discussion on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity. March 7, 2012
    - Archive video of the panel
    - The Secretary General's video message

• 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 intergovernmental 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 intersex (LGBTI) students in educational institutions
  Dec. 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

• Pubertal blockade safe for pediatric patients with gender identity disorder
  Endocrine Today, Feb. 16, 2012

• Psychology International, October 2010
  LGBT Activities at the International Congress of Applied Psychology: A Programming Stream, A Symposium, a Resolution, and a Network

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