A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS

Working to uphold the human rights of LGBTI+ people across the Commonwealth.
Learn more

32 of the 56 Commonwealth member
states criminalise same-sex intimacy.

The Commonwealth Equality Network envisions a Commonwealth free from discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

WHO WE ARE

Countries

Organisations

OUR MISSION

We are an inclusive network that promotes cooperation, understanding and solidarity among diverse LGBTI+ organisations to collectively defend the rights and equality of LGBTI+ people throughout the Commonwealth.

OUR VISION

A Commonwealth free from discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

OUR MEMBERS

Our network is a mosaic of organisations working together for a Commonwealth free from violence and discrimination against LGBTI+ people.

members-graphic

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

EQUAL GROUND

EQUAL GROUND is a nonprofit organisation seeking economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning/Queer (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka.

Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities

We are a human rights community based advocacy organisation with the goal to advance the protection of human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex persons in the kingdom of Eswatini.

NEWS

The Commonwealth Equality Network welcomes the removal of anti-LGBTI+ law in Mauritius

Decision of the Supreme Court is an historic moment in the fight for LGBTI+ equality in the Commonwealth The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) welcomes the decision of Mauritius’ Supreme Court, ruling that a law criminalising same-sex sexual activity between men is...

TCEN statement on passage of Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) is devastated to learn of the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda. We stand in solidarity with LGBTI+ Ugandans, who were already criminalised and now face even harsher penalties simply for being who they are. As...

Religion and LGBTI+ rights in the Commonwealth

It is undeniable that religion and LGBTI+ rights have what can only be described as a ‘difficult relationship’. Across the Commonwealth, leaders from many different mainstream religions have argued that their faith justifies discrimination, stigma and even violence...

TCEN Statement on Uganda

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) stands in solidarity with Uganda’s LGBTQI+ community as we learn of the Ugandan Government's actions to deregister and suppress non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that support LGBTQI+ people.  LGBTI+ people in Uganda...

VACANCIES: CONSULTANT TO DELIVER LGBT ADVOCACY WORKSHOP

These are just some of the questions we intend to address during a Learning Workshop thatKaleidoscope Trust (KT) plans to host for the cross-learning benefit of LGBT+ organisationsoperating in the Commonwealth. The workshop is scheduled to take place in February 2023...

TCEN Statement

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) is alarmed and concerned about recent reports from Zambia of a wave of discrimination and attacks against LGBTI+ people and stands in strong support of the Zambian LGBTI+ community. Over the past couple of months, there has...

TCEN Statement

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) stands shoulder to shoulder with our friends, siblings and colleagues in Uganda. The shuttering of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Uganda's leading civil society organisation fighting for the rights of LGBTI Ugandans, is a...

Capacity Development Interventions for LGBT+ Organisations operating in Commonwealth Countries

Background information Kaleidoscope Trust is a founding member and host to the Secretariat of The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), the first civil society network to sustainably advocate on behalf of LGBT+ people in the Commonwealth. Since its foundation in 2013,...

TCEN proposals at CHOGM 2022

Key priorities and asks Provide sustainable funding: Funding and investment for LGBTI+ organisations, programming, and services. a. Effective, long-term, and consistent financial investment for civil society organisations and service providers who support LGBTI+...

CEDAW committee rules that criminalisation of same-sex intimacy between women is a human rights violation

In March 2022, in a landmark decision by The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Sri Lanka was found to be violating the rights of a lesbian and leading LGBTI activist who was subjected to discrimination, threats and...
Divider