Everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a day to raise awareness of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, and intersex people.

Despite progress in many countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people (LGBTI) still face high levels of violence and inequalities in public and in private, including in family settings and in the workplace, mainly because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.     

Punitive laws continue to penalize the behaviours, identities and expressions of LGBTI people in 72 countries, perpetuating discrimination, exclusion, inequality and violence.

Progress is possible, but it requires stronger and broader alliances to promote safety, combat violence and discrimination, advocate for law and policy change, and change hearts and minds.

UNDP works with partners to promote dignity and reduce the exclusion perpetuated by these structural barriers, and discriminatory norms and practices.

In El Salvador, UNDP has supported LGBTI organizations in the development of a draft bill for an Identity Law which would allow thousands of Salvadorans to have a national ID that reflects their gender identity and their chosen name, opening the door to accessing legal and social protections, and ensuring economic and political inclusion.  

In partnership with LGBTI people, governments and other organizations, UNDP is facilitating policy dialogues, generating data and promoting evidence and rights based laws, policies and practices for LGBTI people in 53 countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.  

UNDP is also firmly committed to working in partnership with 11 other UN organizations to translate the Joint UN Statement on ending violence and discrimination against LGBTI people into action.

On this day, as we mark the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, let’s recommit to the goals of Agenda 2030 to make dignity, equality and inclusion for all a reality - including for LGBTI people - and ensure that no one is left behind.