Report summary:

As part of the UN’s broader efforts to examine and protect LGBTQI+ human rights, this report addresses displacement of LGBTQ+ communities brought about by climate change. Whilst this is a generally under-researched topic, it builds on ReportOUT’s 2023 Report ‘Green In the Rainbow’ which examined this phenomenon.

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The report, authored by ReportOUT Human Rights Researchers; Jessica Peck (research leader), Rachel Coventry, Chloe Haywood, and Bharti Upparu, highlights the impacts of climate-induced displacement on LGBTQ+ communities in Iran, Haiti and South Africa. Despite very differing legal recognition and protections of LGBTQ+ communities in each state, our paper highlights a number of disturbing trends and issues.

 

LGBTQ+ communities are commonly not only blamed for climate disasters but suffer increased stigmatisation as a result of being displaced – sometimes at the hands of bigoted political and religious authorities, sometimes directly from neighbours and wider communities.  When LGBTQ+ individuals are forced to leave their homes as a result of climate disasters, they face multiple dangers.  This includes so-called corrective rape in temporary camps, exclusion from healthcare provision for HIV/AIDS and being denied access to basic sustenance as a result of societal stigmatisation.

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As climate-induced displacement becomes a reality for an increasing number of citizens, our paper highlights where existing provision of support at both national and UN level falls short for LGBTQ+ citizens. Our recommendations include training for UNHCR authorities in impacted states on the unique vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people and ensuring safe and inclusive emergency shelters in disaster relief efforts to accommodate the specific needs of LGBTQI+ individuals. At a UN level, we also strongly recommend for the inclusion of LGBTQI+ voices in climate adaptation processes and policies to ensure equal access to adaptation and that no one is left behind.

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This report reflects the comprehensive nature of ReportOUT's research, aiming to inform and influence policy changes that improve inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities by highlighting current – often hidden - discrepancies that exist.