IDAHOBIT statement for Lebanon
Honoring International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) in Lebanon
IDAHOBIT statement Lebanon
On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), celebrated on 17 May 2022, Member States, the United Nations, and national and international organizations and partners jointly pledge support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) communities around the world, and in Lebanon. In observance of the global theme, “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights,” we recognize the lives and rights of people with diverse sexualities and gender identities, across all ages, races, nationalities, abilities, and legal statuses.
While all communities in Lebanon are affected by compounded crises currently facing the country, LGBTIQ+ persons face specific and acute vulnerabilities due to historic and systemic discrimination and marginalization. Despite immense challenges, LGBTIQ+ communities and activists continue to be at the forefront of reclaiming their human rights- as they have been for decades - and have collaborated with international and national partners to address these issues by providing emergency humanitarian assistance and critical social and protection services, while also demanding equal rights from those in government. They continue to facilitate political action and participation, to engage with public opinion and policies through advocacy and social campaigns, to document human rights violations, and to expand knowledge on social justice issues. A LGBTIQ+ task force has been established in Lebanon in 2021, bringing several member states, UN agencies, and national and international organizations together for united actions.
As enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations’ global commitment to leaving no one behind,
- We will continue to ensure that our interventions and services are inclusive of all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of a persons’ sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
- We stand ready to assist the government and all stakeholders in the collective effort to promote the rights of LGBTIQ+ communities.
- We affirm that inequalities and violations against LGBTIQ+ persons remain human rights issues that demand our attention and action, with the mobilization of all the necessary resources;
- We pledge to maintain or increase resources and support to LGBTIQ+ causes, with specific focus to Lebanese LGBTIQ+ organizations, who remain best placed to identify and respond to the communities’ own needs and priorities;
- And in this critical time for Lebanon, we commit to deploy efforts to improve the rights and well-being of LGBTIQ+ people.