New York, New York – June 27, 2024 – Outright International and Edge Effect have released a groundbreaking report that underscores the urgent need for humanitarian organizations to address the unique challenges LGBTIQ communities face during crises. The research, based on interviews with humanitarian staff and case studies from Colombia, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, and Ukraine, notes that pre-emergency biases and institutionalized discrimination often prevent LGBTIQ individuals from accessing life-saving assistance. 

The report showcases promising examples of humanitarian actors collaborating with local LGBTIQ populations to create more inclusive and effective responses. It emphasizes the importance of integrating LGBTIQ inclusion into all humanitarian planning and operations, from assessments to action plans. 

Outright Executive Director Maria Sjödin stated, “At a time when more people than ever are affected by the humanitarian crisis, it is imperative to ensure that the humanitarian response reaches LBGTIQ community members. LGBTIQ communities often face heightened vulnerability during crises and are frequently overlooked by aid efforts meant for all. Involving LGBTIQ organizations in coordination mechanisms is essential to enhance inclusivity within humanitarian action. This report is a call to action for the humanitarian system to step up and address these gaps.”

The report calls on humanitarian organizations and donors to embed LGBTIQ inclusion into their strategies and coordination structures to ensure access to aid for all affected populations.

Edge Effect Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Emily Dwyer added, “Including LGBTQ people in humanitarian responses is complex and context-specific work.  Rising to this challenge requires humanitarian organizations to build their organizational capabilities, learn how to mitigate risk wherever possible, and treat LGBTIQ inclusion as a core component of protection and assistance. This report offers positive pathways that all humanitarian organizations can travel and draws on tools that ensure LGBTIQ people and organizations are central to these efforts.”

About Outright International:

Outright International works with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations, and advocate for inclusion and equality. Founded in 1990, Outright International collaborates with various organizations, including the United Nations, to promote human rights and social justice for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

About Edge Effect:

Edge Effect is an LGBTQI+ humanitarian and development organization implementing programs and offering research, training, design and other services.  Our work with LGBTQI+ organizations and traditional aid sector actors ensures that the rights, needs, and strengths of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics are addressed within the humanitarian and development policy and programs.