How We Work
National Laws & Policies
States’ national laws and policies have a great impact on the daily lives of LGBTI persons, and are vital in protecting the human rights of LGBTI persons and promoting inclusive development.
Overview
Improvements in this field are still not equal in every country and people in virtually every country of the world still face discrimination because of their sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. In some countries, people still face persecution and criminalization on the basis of SOGIESC; some countries have put in place laws and policies to prohibit discrimination and/or engage in affirmative measures (marriage equality, gender identity laws, etc.); and still others have implemented inclusive public policies, even though their legislative framework does not provide for equality or protection from discrimination.
The coordination of States with each other, with civil society organisations, and with multilaterals and other key stakeholders is vital to progress domestic legislation and policy in Member and non-Member States. The Founding Principles of the ERC, as agreed by Member States, include commitments to share information between States on how best to advance the human rights of, and support inclusive development for, LGBTI persons, engaging all relevant stakeholders, including regional and multilateral organisations, civil society organisations, and the private sector, and consulting closely with civil society to ensure an environment in which LGBTI persons’ human rights can be respected, protected, and promoted.
The National Laws & Policies Thematic Group works to share and promote good practices, experiences and regulations regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, with the goal of encouraging the development of progressive policies in other States. This allows the design and advancement of national and international policies for the protection, promotion and full access to human rights of the LGBTI population.
The group identifies key working methods:
- Identifying domestic policies in States.
- Sharing briefings with ERC States, and working bilaterally with ERC members to determine in which area they could advance legislation/policies related to LGBTI rights.
- Holding regular sessions with ERC members to share lessons learned and best practices on specific topics.
report
Buenos Aires 2022 Conference Report
30 November 2022
report
ERC Pre-Conference Report 2022
08 September 2022
Webinar
Gender Recognition and the Anti-Gender Movement
30 October 2024
Webinar
Banning So-Called ‘Conversion Therapies’
09 April 2024
Webinar
Eliminating Harmful Practices against and Promoting Human Rights Protection of Intersex People
29 September 2023
Webinar
Using CEDAW to pursue the decriminalisation of LBTQ people: promising avenues and developments
12 June 2023
report
Buenos Aires 2022 Conference Report
30 November 2022
report
ERC Pre-Conference Report 2022
08 September 2022
Webinar
Gender Recognition and the Anti-Gender Movement
30 October 2024
Webinar
Banning So-Called ‘Conversion Therapies’
09 April 2024
Webinar
Eliminating Harmful Practices against and Promoting Human Rights Protection of Intersex People
29 September 2023
Webinar
Using CEDAW to pursue the decriminalisation of LBTQ people: promising avenues and developments
12 June 2023
report
Buenos Aires 2022 Conference Report
30 November 2022
report
ERC Pre-Conference Report 2022
08 September 2022
Statement
ERC statement on the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage and Homoparental Adoption in Greece
26 February 2024
Statement
Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the Russian Supreme Court judgment infringing LGBTIQ+ people’s basic human rights
18 December 2023
Statement
Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’ in Georgia
03 December 2024
Statement
Statement on the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition
10 July 2024
Statement
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2024: Declaration by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition
14 May 2024
Declaration
Equal Rights Coalition launches its Secretariat, hosted by ILGA World
08 May 2024
Statement
ERC statement on the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage and Homoparental Adoption in Greece
26 February 2024
Statement
Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the Russian Supreme Court judgment infringing LGBTIQ+ people’s basic human rights
18 December 2023
Statement
Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’ in Georgia
03 December 2024
Statement
Statement on the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition
10 July 2024
Statement
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2024: Declaration by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition
14 May 2024
Declaration
Equal Rights Coalition launches its Secretariat, hosted by ILGA World
08 May 2024
Statement
ERC statement on the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage and Homoparental Adoption in Greece
26 February 2024
Statement
Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the Russian Supreme Court judgment infringing LGBTIQ+ people’s basic human rights
18 December 2023