States must adopt urgent measures to respect and guarantee the life and personal integrity of lesbians

April 28, 2025

Washington, DC—On the occasion of International Lesbian Visibility Day, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) highlights the systematic, gender-based violence faced by lesbians —often aimed at controlling or erasing non-normative sexual orientations and gender expressions—which gravely threatens their rights to life and personal integrity. The IACHR urges States to recognize and address this specific form of violence through comprehensive legal reforms, inclusive public policies, and guaranteed access to justice, in accordance with their international human rights obligations. 

IACHR's report on Violence against LGBTI persons (2015) found that, across the region, lesbian persons are subjected to a continuum of violence rooted in structural sexism and deep-seated prejudice against non-normative sexual orientations and gender expressions. That report also noted that there is significant underreporting of violence against lesbian women; hence, access to data is limited. However, scientific research conducted in specific countries within the region has found that up to 65% of lesbians surveyed reported experiences of violence. Other studies suggest that violence against lesbians begins at a young age, often, within their household.

Particularly alarming are harmful practices and efforts to eliminate or alter the non-normative sexual orientation of lesbians. These types of violence have been thoroughly documented by the UN Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. These include psychological and verbal abuse, imposition of gender-conforming clothing, faith-based interventions, forced institutionalization, medicalization and aversion treatments including the use of electroshock, and so-called "corrective rape." These acts constitute serious violations of the right to personal integrity and may amount to torture or cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment. Moreover, lesbians experience intersectional forms of violence, compounded by factors such as racial or ethnic origin,

Medical associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Medical Association, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have noted that interventions intended to modify sexual orientation lack any medical justification, scientific credibility or clinical utility. On the contrary, there is evidence of the harms such practices cause, including depression, anxiety, guilt and in some cases have physical consequences as well.

In line with the Convention of Belém do Pará and the American Convention on Human Rights, States have a binding obligation to guarantee all women, including lesbians, the right to live free from discrimination and violence. The IACHR urges States to adopt comprehensive measures to prevent, investigate, punish, and redress violence against those persons, including acts that may amount to torture, such as so-called "corrective rape." Legal reforms, survivor-centered services, and the dismantling of harmful cultural norms are essential to ensure equality, dignity, and justice for all women in their diversity.

IACHR underscores that data on violence against lesbians must be adequately collected and segregated by gender and sexual orientation. This is essential for the design of tailored responses to protect their human rights. Lastly, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to supporting States in fulfilling their international human rights obligations and advancing full respect for the dignity, freedom, and integrity of all lesbians in their diversity.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), deriving its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission is charged with promoting human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS on this matter. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and they do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 081/25

10:20 AM