Groundbreaking research on lesbian, bi and trans exclusion across 21 countries - Out of the Margins | Stonewall
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Groundbreaking research on lesbian, bi and trans exclusion across 21 countries - Out of the Margins

Today, Stonewall launches a report from the Out of the Margins network. Between February and September 2019, the network documented the profound exclusion facing lesbians, bi women and trans (LBT+) people, showing the hardship, discrimination and violence experienced by their communities across the globe.

The network built through the Out of the Margins project spans 21 countries. Using the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a template, they produced research covering five key areas: economic well-being, health, education, personal security and violence, and civic and political participation.

Watch the video to learn more about the project. 

The network demonstrates the many ways in which LBT+ communities are discriminated against and how their needs are refused, ignored and/or unmet.

At the heart of this project and network is the desire to bring wide-ranging and meaningful change to LBT+ people, both in their own countries and internationally.

A crucial feature of the project was the direct involvement of marginalised LBT+ people in the research, and in the action affecting them and their communities.

Intersectional, feminist and queer perspectives were prioritised from the outset, in order to amplify voices that have been unheard or ignored in previous research projects.

Some findings will be challenging to read – throughout the report there are descriptions of violence and abuse. However, we believe that the discrimination faced by LBT+ people must be acknowledged if meaningful change is to be made.

The voices of the research respondents in this report show just how vital it is that Out of the Margins network members are able to continue with their essential work.

Nancy Kelley, Chief Executive at Stonewall, said:  ‘This groundbreaking report shines a light on lesbian, bi women and trans (LBT+) communities across the globe whose struggle for equality continues to be largely ignored. Not only does it show the precarious position LBT+ people occupy worldwide, it’s also a testament to their bravery and the work they’re doing on the ground to tackle discrimination, often at considerable personal risk. At Stonewall, we’re working with these international activists to help fight for equality in their countries, and we want you to join us.'

The more research there is about the barriers these LBT+ communities are facing, the better able we are to come together to drive forward solutions that work for them. No one can be left behind in our fight for global LGBT equality. - Nancy Kelley, Stonewall CEO.

Download the full report here.

If you want to help, donate to the individual organisations that developed the research or support Stonewall.