IACHR celebrates lives, achievements and resilience of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people

March 31^st, 2022

Washington, D.C. - On the International Trans Day of Visibility, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) celebrates the lives, achievements and resilience of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse persons in the hemisphere and launches a quarterly Newsletter to highlight the situation of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

It is an appropriate occasion to recognize the progress made in the enjoyment of their rights through judicial decisions, legal and administrative initiatives, driven by the activism and advocacy work carried out by trans persons, including children and adolescents. Likewise, the IACHR celebrates historic appointments and elections of trans persons in decision-making spaces, as well as their achievements in areas such as the arts, sports and academia.

However, the Commission reiterates its concern over the proliferation of initiatives that seek to limit the human rights of trans persons, in a context of regressive measures contrary to the gender and diversity perspective that has been previously noted. These measures threaten to exacerbate the aggravated social exclusion of trans and gender-diverse people, as well as their situation of risk to violence based on prejudice. In addition, it recalls the recommendations to advance in the protection of the economic, social, cultural and environmental rights of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse persons.

In this context, the IACHR publishes the first edition of a newsletter highlights the advances and challenges to the rights of LGBTI persons in the region. This newsletter will provide periodic and updated information on good practices of the States of the region and will draw attention to specific situations and emerging trends that require special attention. The publication aims to assist States in fulfilling their international duties to eradicate discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics, as well as to make these situations visible so that more people in the continent are aware of the rights of LGBTI people and contribute to inclusion and non-discrimination. For its elaboration, information obtained through its different monitoring tools will be used.

The IACHR reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and defense of the rights of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse persons and urges States to comply with their international duties to guarantee their lives, personal integrity, and full social inclusion, with the technical support of the Inter-American Commission.

Finally, the IACHR reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and defense of the rights of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse persons and urges States to comply with their international duties to guarantee their lives, personal integrity and full social inclusion, with the technical support of the Inter-American Commission.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 068/22

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