Blog: Perspectives

The bold commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are being tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many long-standing inequalities and vulnerabilities impacting LGBTI people globally are magnified by this crisis. Governments must take action that specifically aims to include LGBTI people in policy responses to ensure no one is left behind. This is an opportunity to get back on track and radically shift “business as usual” to benefit the most marginalized and furthest left behind. 

On May 17, the UN LGBTIQ core group - a cross regional group of 31 United Nations Member States and the mission of the EU, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the NGOs Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International - released a statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

May 17th marks 30 years since the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the classification of diseases and related health problems. In 2004, May 17 was named the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). IDAHOBIT is a celebration for LGBTIQ people everywhere.

IDAHOBIT is a day to reflect on the progress made in the recognition and protection of the human rights of LGBTIQ people, to zoom in on remaining challenges, and raise awareness about the levels of discrimination, harassment and violence LGBTIQ communities around the world continue to face every day, even in countries with explicit legislative and policy protections in place.

Within a month of opening the fund for applications, we received over 1500 appeals for help, most to cover alleviation efforts of rising food and shelter insecurity among LGBTIQ communities. Three rounds of grants have been issued to a total of 90 organizations including (list incomplete for security reasons):

Past public health emergencies have proven that vulnerable communities are made more vulnerable in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Challenges in accessing justice, health, education, employment, and other essential services have become magnified, leaving many individuals deprived of essential needs and the means to survive.

Grace Poore talks to her friend of 33 years, Dipti Ghosh, about the first queer march in Washington in 1987, about pandemics from past years, South Asian queer girls virtual happy hour, missing her coffee shop and listening to live music on Instagram.