Being LGBTI in the Caribbean

Dominican Republic Pride Parade, 2019, UNDP

Being LGBTI in the Caribbean

The Being LGBTI in the Caribbean (BLIC) regional programme aims to enhance knowledge, partnerships, and capacities of LGBTI communities, civil society and States to reduce human rights violations and negative attitudes towards LGBTI people in the Caribbean, with country level focus in Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, as well as regional activities. To achieve its goals, it is crucial that the initiative responds to the experiences and needs of the LGBTI community in the Caribbean.

News

National LGBT Survey: Jamaica

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Jamaica, as in many other countries globally, face challenges often due to a lack of support; stigma and discrimination; as well as violence based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. These inequities result in a difference in the enjoyment of basic human rights when compared to the general population.

The national LGBT survey aimed to assess and produce insights on the impact of exclusion, stigma, and discrimination on the lived experiences of LGBT persons in Jamaica. In addition, the survey endeavoured to provide actionable recommendations that may inform the development and implementation of inclusive public policies to aid in establishing an equitable and just society. The research considers eight thematic areas where exclusion, stigma, and discrimination may be experienced:

› Violence due to prejudice and discrimination
› Human Rights
› Education
› Employment and Employability
› Sense of Belonging
› Health
› Standard of Living
› Political and Social Participation

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National LGBTI Survey: Barbados

The National LGBTI Survey sought to ascertain the lived realities of LGBTQI+ people in Barbados. Specifically, the study aimed to (1) produce knowledge and assess personal costs related to LGBTQI+ people’s experiences of social exclusion, stigma and discrimination; and (2) make useful recommendations that may inform the development and implementation of inclusive public policies. The research considers eight areas where exclusion, stigma and discrimination may be experienced: Citizen Security, Education, Employment, Health, Housing, Violence, Access to Justice, and Political Participation.

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Segundo Diálogo Nacional LGBTI, República Dominicana 2022

National LGBTI+ Dialogue in the Dominican Republic

The 2nd National LGBTI Dialogue in the Dominican Republic took place with the participation of 150 representatives from LGBTI CSOs, government departments and development cooperation partners. The Dialogue was focused on security, access to justice and health, in the context of leaving no one behind. An online consultation space of exchange was created, and three pre-forums organized. Based on the result of the virtual consultations and in-person discussions, a Roadmap was agreed to address key concerns.

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Lanzamiento Informe Ser LGBTI en el Caribe: República Dominicana 2022

Being LGBTI in the Caribbean: Dominican Republic 2022 report

The Being LGBTI in the Caribbean: Dominican Republic report was published, providing evidence on the human rights situation as well as on socio-economic inclusion of LGBTI people in the Dominican Republic. The report, based on interviews with more than 100 LGBTI people, state officials, and specialists shows that LGBTI people in the Dominican Republic continue to face enormous vulnerability in the face of violence and discrimination; continue to be excluded from the exercise of basic rights and lack recognition and legal protection.

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Human Rights of Intersex Persons report

In an effort to increase the amount of available information with regard to the lives of LGBTI persons in the Caribbean region, the report “Human rights of intersex persons on Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica”, launched by the BLIC initiative in November 2021, highlights that no government of the mentioned countries has legislation, policies or regulation contemplating specific safeguards for intersex persons or, for instance, regulating care for intersex children. The Caribbean region is also characterized by the absence of official statistical information that reflects the situations and challenges of this population and their families. The study seeks to provide information and data to this end, as well as specific recommendations for advancing the promotion of human rights in the region.

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National LGBTI Survey in Dominican Republic, UNDP

Data Collection: LGBTI survey in the Dominican Republic

The BLIC project also tries to broaden the existing data available to inform the development of inclusive public policies, making policy makers aware of the lived realities of LGBTI people in their countries. An example of this particular effort is the National LGBTI 2020 Survey in the Dominican Republic. The Survey is the most comprehensive study conducted at national level on socio-demographic and living conditions of LGBTI people in the Dominican Republic. The results were presented during 2021, expanding statistical information and sharing the collected data on the situation and protection of LGBTI people's human rights.

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Training and CSOs capacities: Barbados

Human rights, social media advocacy, political participation and entrepreneurship training are some of the subjects covered by the project and implemented in collaboration with local CSOs. In Barbados, members of the LGBTI community completed the refresher training course as Trainers of Trainers on the Caribbean Diversity and Training Manual. The Diversity and Inclusion Training Manual is a tool used to sensitize and educate persons on the impact of stigma and discrimination towards marginalized groups.

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Media Guide: Reporting on the Jamaican LGBT community

Training and CSOs capacities: Jamaica

Human rights, social media advocacy, political participation and entrepreneurship training are some of the subjects covered by the project and implemented in collaboration with local CSOs. In this context, support was also given to the LGBTI CSO J-Flag, in Jamaica, in producing a media guide manual “Reporting on the Jamaican LGBTI community: a guide for Jamaican and international journalists”, which seeks to ensure that the media provide a holistic representation of LGBTI Jamaicans and the issues that affect them, free of stigma and discrimination.

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Training and CSOs capacities: Haiti

Human rights, social media advocacy, political participation and entrepreneurship training are some of the subjects covered by the project and implemented in collaboration with local CSOs. In the case of Haiti, another example would be the support given to Kay Trans, a shelter for young transgender men and women in Port-au-Prince, representing tolerance and empowerment for the Haitian LGBTI community.

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Haiti National LGBTI Dialogue , 2019, UNDP

National Dialogues

In the past years, in order to foster advances in terms of inclusive public policies, the BLIC initiative has organized a series of National Dialogues where the different issues that affect the LGBTI community are discussed among participants. LGBTI National Dialogues were carried out in the Dominican Republic (May 2019), Haiti (August 2019) and Jamaica (September 2020) with the presence of civil society, Government representatives, private sector and International Organizations, amongst others. The resulting recommendations from these Dialogues facilitate policy advocacy and have already influenced the progress made in specific plans or policies like the recently approved National Gender Equality and Equity Plan 2020-2030 in the Dominican Republic, that takes into account all priorities and expressed necessities of the LGBTI community in the country.

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Other information on Being LGBTI in the Caribbean results, initiatives and activities can be found in our blog and social media accounts, follow us at @LGBTICaribbean for more.

Publications

Human Rights of Intersex persons in Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica

This study is part of that effort to increase the existing baseline information on intersex people in the Caribbean region, particularly in relation to international human rights instruments and standards.

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Publications

Ser LGBTI en el Caribe: República Dominicana 2022

El presente informe muestra los resultados principales de una investigación cualitativa sobre la situación de derechos humanos y la inclusión de las personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, trans e intersex (LGBTI) en la República Dominicana, en un periodo comprendido entre los años 2020 y 2022.

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Publications

National Survey for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People Dominican Republic

This survey and its publication have been funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the framework of the project “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

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