Invisible, Isolated, and Ignored Human Rights Abuses Based on Sexual

M. Yesudas, F. Nokukhanya, R.Quintero Martínez, T.F. Hodgson

This report analyzes different aspects of violence experienced by LGBT persons, despite the different levels of protection provided by the law. To illustrate this complex pattern, this report discusses three systemic and widespread human rights violations experienced by LGBT people in all regions of the world: violence against LGBT persons, criminalization of consensual same sex relations and the gaps within legislation providing for legal recognition of gender identity and its inadequacy. To do so, the report provides a window into the human rights situation of LGBT persons during the COVID-19 pandemic in three countries Colombia, South Africa and Malaysia. It should be noted that the experiences recounted, and the testimonies collected in the course of preparing this report, are anecdotal. They have been collated through interviewing and speaking to human rights defenders around the world, who have experienced the pandemic as an event that has, to some extent, exacerbated the human rights abuses they already faced in their country. In addition, the report does not aim to provide a comparison of ?danger? experienced by LGBT persons in different countries.