About

We are a global network fighting for the rights of LBT+ people

Background

Out of the Margins is an international project led by Stonewall in coalition with 24 human rights organisations, which builds evidence to advocate for the rights of lesbians, bi women and trans (LBT+) people worldwide.

While we know that lesbians, bi women and trans people face systemic exclusion and injustice, there is very little research looking specifically at their needs and rights. Their experiences are usually merged with those of the wider LGBT+ community or ignored by larger human rights institutions. As a result of this lack of specific data, global movements aren’t able to address the unique issues that affect them.

On top of this, sexual orientation often remains predominant in campaigns, often ignoring intersectional approaches which are better able to explain the multiple problems faced by LBT+ people.

For example, a single person can face various forms of discrimination at once such as racism, xenophobia, sexism, biphobia or transphobia. Ignoring this reality can lead to more discrimination, harassment and violence, limited access to safe spaces, and disempowered communities.

Work on LBT+ rights is also severely under-funded, in comparison with both mainstream LGBT+ rights and gender equality work, and we know that meaningful change requires a strong evidence base and long-term investment. This two-year project marks the start of an emerging programme of work for Stonewall and its partners in this area.

The project focuses on five main issues where LBT+ communities continue to face severe and persistent marginalisation:

At the heart of these themes lie the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to “leave no one behind.” The SDGs provide the Out of the Margins project with a framework to help influence global development policy making in being inclusive of LBT+ communities.

Using the SDGs as a lens through which to focus the research, many of these studies represent the first of their kind, exploring the experiences of LBT+ communities across Europe and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

This research builds an evidence base that will provide the foundation for further research on these issues and to help to situate LBT+ rights as part of the SDG 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Where we work

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The Out of the Margins network currently spans 27 organisations across three world regions – Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Together, we work to:

Deepen evidence for international advocacy on LBT+ inequalities and rights violations
Develop coalition-working amongst campaigning organisations spanning 23 countries
Appeal for immediate, coordinated action within national, regional and international human rights systems
Raise the visibility of LBT+ rights issues globally

This project is for lesbians, bi women and trans people, of all gender identities and expressions. We adopt a culturally and linguistically broad definition of lesbian, bi and trans.

Although this project doesn’t specifically cover intersex rights issues in a substantive and focused way, we are working with partners which include or prioritise them in their work – including in this project. In general, Stonewall is keen to review our approach to intersex inclusion in our global programmes work, and to consult with intersex-led organisations as we do this.

Latest blog posts

Civic and political participation

Out of the Margins key findings: civil and political participation

10.12.2020

View Blog Post

Personal security and violence

Out of the Margins key findings: personal security and violence

25.11.2020

View Blog Post

Health

Out of the Margins key findings: health

14.10.2020

View Blog Post

Argentina

Botswana

Brazil

Burundi

Chile

Ecuador

Jamaica

Jamaica

Kyrgyzstan

Lesotho

Macedonia

Montenegro

Mozambique

Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria

Peru

South Africa

Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Argentina

Botswana

Brazil

Burundi

Chile

Ecuador

Jamaica

Jamaica

Kyrgyzstan

Lesotho

Macedonia

Montenegro

Mozambique

Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria

Peru

South Africa

Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela

Zambia

Zimbabwe

About

We are a global network fighting for the rights of LBT+ people

Background

Out of the Margins is an international project led by Stonewall in coalition with 24 human rights organisations, which builds evidence to advocate for the rights of lesbians, bi women and trans (LBT+) people worldwide.

Where we work

Latest blog posts

Civic and political participation

Personal security and violence

Health

Latest resources

Advocacy

Sustainable Development Goals and LBT+ inclusion (2021)

Advocacy

Out of the Margins report (2020)

All

Database of recommendations, UPR Info (2019)