The Invisible Minority: The situation of the LGBT community in Bangladesh

N. Tuncay

Executive Summary: The situation of the LGBT community in Bangladesh is of paramount concern. Bangladesh still criminalises same-sex relations under section 377 of the Penal Code, a particular provision that the Government refuses to repeal. The Government's negative stance on LGBT rights, combined with Bangladeshi society's cultural and religious beliefs contribute to the strictly binary conceptualisation of sexual orientation and gender identity. The LGBT community is currently severely disenfranchised, facing discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. This research, jointly conducted by Global Human Rights Defence and Boys of Bangladesh, highlights the particular issues faced by the LGBT community in Bangladesh. The study was based on 50 interviews with individuals from the LGBT community (including community leaders). The purpose of the research was to conduct a needs analysis, aimed at examining the experience of the LGBT community in relation to the violations and social exclusion they face, the acceptance of diverse