FILLING THE DATA GAP ON SEXUAL & GENDER MINORITIES

There is growing interest - not only among human rights activists but also among the international and domestic development communities - to understand the priorities, needs and aspirations of persons who identify as members of sexual and/or gender minorities. Anecdotal evidence points to widespread discrimination, stigmatization, exclusion and even violence directed at such persons and their organizations. However, the more detailed, rigorous quantitative and qualitative data is largely absent.

This event will bring together leading voices in several organizations who are seeking the best way forward to generate – safely, ethically, and in a rigorous manner – the data that is needed to allow untapped development funding to flow to support expanded access to jobs, housing, education, health care and democratic participation. Having such data would mean that the results of development investments could be measured and accounted for in terms of actual improvements in the quality of life of members of the LGBTQI community.