Tools and Strategies

June 2015, 99 pages

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has published this report examining scientific evidence on sexual practices. The report shows that human sexual behaviour is naturally varied, and should not form a basis for discrimination. It further presents substantial evidence that sexual diversity has always been a normal part of human society. 

The report concludes that tolerance of same-sex orientation benefits communities and positively affects public health, civil society and long-term economic growth.

The report could encourage policymakers, faith leaders and communities to learn about LGBTI people that live in their countries and help inform policies and lawmaking. Efforts should be focused on countering the stigmatisation that creates hostile and violent environments for those who are othered within heteronormative societies.

2014, 8 pages

Norway plays an active role as an advocate for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transpersons – LGBT - both in the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and bilaterally. The starting point for Norway’s efforts is that human rights apply to everyone, regardless of their sex, social and ethnic background, religion or sexual orientation.

In many countries, securing the rights of LGBT people is a sensitive issue. We have therefore developed brief guidelines for efforts by Norwegian embassies to promote the rights of LGBT people.

The guidelines have been developed in cooperation with Norwegian embassies in Nicaragua, Nepal, Kenya and Uganda.

The guidelines include the following recommendations:

• Embassies should be aware of the Norwegian policy on LGBTs
• Human rights efforts must extend to issues relating to LGBT people
• Embassies should gain an overview of the situation for LGBTs
• Embassies should raise the general issue of LGBT rights in their talks with authorities
• Events of arrests or abuse of LGBT people should be monitored and reported

2014, 12 pages

Norway is a staunch supporter of the rights of all human beings, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Norway works to protect the human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender – LGBT - persons in the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations General Assembly and at country level.

This is a sensitive issue in many countries. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has therefore developed guidelines for the foreign missions’ work for LGBT persons. The guidelines are developed in collaboration with Norway’s foreign missions in Guatemala, Nepal, Kenya and Uganda.

2013, 117 pages

This report consists of 14 case studies of best practices for advancing human rights based on
sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Read impressing stories on work done in Romania, the Philippines, Chile, South Africa, India, Paraguay, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway, Suriname, USA, Burundi, Argentina and Nepal.

2016, 44 pages

The EU LGBTI Guidelines prescribe a pro-active attitude for EU Delegations and National Embassies of EU countries regarding the promotion of LGBTI rights. Ever since the EU LGBTI Guidelines are in force, COC Netherlands and ILGA-Europe have been receiving mixed signals about their implementation from LGBTI civil society organisations across the world. This survey focuses on the experiences of LGBTI organisations across the world with the EU Delegations and National Embassies of EU Member States.  Results are combined with good practices and suggestions for improvement per priority area and tool.