Parliamentarians can promote legislation supporting equality and non-discrimination, regardless gender identity and sexual orientation. A higher representation of LGBTI persons in national parliaments can have an impact on lawmaking, often leading to the enactment of equality laws focused on sexual orientation. According to a 2013 study, same-sex marriage was more likely to happen in countries with representation of openly gay MPs in parliament. Also, research findings showed that “the countries with the most progressive LGBT rights have had some level of gay representation for the longest time and continue to do so today”.[1]
Establishing institutional mechanisms and informal fora to discuss LGBTI rights, such as LGBTI caucuses, can be positive for the work of parliamentarians defending this cause, since the creation of such platforms gives a strong political message in favor of social inclusion and equality. Furthermore, international parliamentary strengthening projects can promote political inclusion and human rights of the LGBTI community, by supporting parliamentarians’ work in this field.
Example: In the United States, the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus was created in the House of Representatives in 2008, aiming to promote human rights of LGBT people in the country and around the world. The Caucus has over 100 members and is currently co-chaired by six openly LGBT Members of Congress. Its work focuses on promoting human rights equality, repealing discriminatory legislation, fighting against hate violence and improving health and wellbeing of LGBT people.[2]
Example: In the United Kingdom, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT Rights was created in 2005 to provide a forum for parliamentarians to advance the enjoyment of human rights for LGBTI persons inside the country and abroad. Among other functions, the Parliamentary Group promotes LGBTI rights at the domestic and international levels, meets activists from all around the world, attends conferences and builds links with parliamentary LGBTI groups in other countries. In 2016, it launched a global report on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, recommending increased support and funding to LGBTI groups on the ground.[3]
Example: The European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI rights is an informal forum for Members of the European Parliament who wish to advance the rights of LGBTI persons. With 150 members from different political backgrounds, it is the largest intergroup within the European Parliament. Its work consists in “monitoring the work of the European Union; monitoring the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in EU Member States and beyond; and liaising with civil society groups to relay their concerns at the European level.” The priorities of the Intergroup include freedom of movement for LGBTI persons, monitoring the European Commission, combatting discrimination in the European Union, securing transgender and intersex rights and monitoring human rights in the European Union’s work.
Example: The organization Parliamentarians for Global Action, a broad international network of legislators, has conducted a global parliamentary campaign against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, to mobilize parliamentarians in favor of LGBTI rights.[4] In the framework of this campaign, the organization launched an inclusion website in 2017, as a resource platform for parliamentarians to advance inclusion of LGBTI persons.[5] In 2017, it published a Handbook for parliamentarians, in collaboration with UNDP, which “offers practical tips, tools and resources designed to support parliamentarians to undertake legislative, representational and oversight activities that advance the rights and inclusion of LGBTI persons.” [6]
