On the eve of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI) launched a statement urging States and other stakeholders to urgently take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse (LGBT) persons when designing, implementing and evaluating the measures to combat the pandemic. The IE SOGI assess the implementation of existing international human rights instruments with regard to ways to overcome violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to identify and address the root causes of violence and discrimination.
It is an honour for APCOM to be invited to be part of this panel that marks the launch of the mandate’s 2020 statement for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
APCOM Executive Director, Midnight said, “I will be sharing the findings from our COVID-19 series from Asia Pacific. From our community that is risking their lives to provide crucial sexual health and HIV services despite challenges during the pandemic, and also highlight socio-economic and human rights issues that LGBT communities face and how this is being intensified during lockdowns.”
“For example, even when gay men and trans women comprise a significant proportion of those living with HIV-induced compromised immune systems at higher risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, criminalisation, stigma and discrimination will likely make it impossible to fully document and analyse the impact of the pandemic,” the Independent Expert said.
Please register to join the virtual discussion
Shedding light: LGBT persons and COVID-19
22:00 (Bangkok) on May 15, 2020
This webinar is co-organized by the UN Foundation and the mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to shed light on the implications of the current pandemic on LGBT populations.
