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COVID-19 is having drastic effects across the world – and a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities. We spoke to members of The Commonwealth Equality Network to gain insight into the ways in which the crisis is impacting their work, their lives and their communities.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been swift, far-reaching and severe. In many territories, surges in the number of people falling ill have added pressure to health systems, governments have introduced rarely used emergency powers and economies have contracted deeply. The very rhythms of life as we knew them have been disrupted on a scale which has left almost no corner of the Commonwealth untouched and no person unaffected in some way.
Emergency situations such as this have a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities, and simmering inequalities are put in sharp relief as the already difficult and precarious positions of these communities are exacerbated. This is true of many groups, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and gender-diverse (LGBTI+) people are no exception.
Conducted through a consultation of members of The Commonwealth Equality Network over the course of April 2020, we have gathered the testimony of 41 LGBTI+ individuals from 34 member organisations, covering 37 Commonwealth countries.
Emergency situations such as this have a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities, and simmering inequalities are put in sharp relief as the already difficult and precarious positions of these communities are exacerbated. This is true of many groups, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and gender-diverse (LGBTI+) people are no exception.
Conducted through a consultation of members of The Commonwealth Equality Network over the course of April 2020, we have gathered the testimony of 41 LGBTI+ individuals from 34 member organisations, covering 37 Commonwealth countries. This consultation has revealed an uncertain and increasingly difficult picture for LGBTI+ organisations and communities in the Commonwealth, due to both the COVID-19 outbreak itself and the responses of governments – both nationally and as donors of international aid.<
In Botswana, LGBTI+ people are being blamed for COVID-19 with impunity and, in Barbados, an increase in verbal harassment against LGBTI+ people by the police when seeking assistance has been reported.
In Pakistan and Saint Lucia, LGBTI+ people are facing layoffs, redundancy and loss of income in sectors where they are overrepresented and that are hard hit by restrictions to movement, such as tourism or sex work, placing their livelihoods, housing and lives at risk.
In Kiribati and Sri Lanka, LGBTI+ people are at risk of or have had to stay in lockdown with relatives who discriminate against and stigmatise them, a further burden on and threat to their mental and physical health.
In Ghana and Malta, there are reports of increased difficulties in accessing medication, especially for HIV-positive and trans people.
In Belize and other jurisdictions, judicial processes are delayed, including challenges to legislation that is discriminatory or that fails to protect people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics.
And in the United Kingdom, there has been a concerning indefinite freeze on expected government funding to support the human rights of LGBTI+ people internationally – at a time when it is needed the most.
In many places, there is often only one or a small handful LGBTI+ civil society organisations supporting, providing services to and advocating with and for LGBTI+ people. This consultation has revealed that the very survival of many LGBTI+ civil society organisations across the Commonwealth is at stake.
At a time when there is clear and escalating need, some member organisations – nearly half of which have no reserves – have reported decreases in or loss of current or potential income, as donations have slowed and new funding opportunities have been put on hold indefinitely. Coupled with new restrictions on movement, the ability of member organisations across the Commonwealth to carry out essential human rights advocacy, provide lifesaving services and assistance such as shelter and food to LGBTI+ people, or even to survive, is under threat like never before.
It is in difficult circumstances such as these that governments across the Commonwealth must, through word and deed, demonstrate their commitment to the values of the Commonwealth Charter. Despite this deepening set of challenges, there are actions that decision-makers, policymakers and funders can take to protect, support and respect LGBTI+ people and their rights in response to COVID-19.
In order to do this, funders, especially governments, must urgently allocate financial resources for:
Consultations and data gathering with LGBTI+ organisations and communities about their needs resulting from the immediate and emerging impacts of COVID-19.
Flexible emergency response funds for LGBTI+ civil society to support services they are providing to LGBTI+ communities and to ensure their organisations survive.
LGBTI+ civil society to sustain their ongoing, longer-term work to address entrenched structural drivers of the inequality, discrimination and exclusion LGBTI+ people face, during the pandemic and beyond.
Funders must also allow greater flexibility with existing funding, so organisations under duress are better able to adapt and respond to the ever-changing and difficult circumstances of the pandemic.
Additionally, Commonwealth governments must:
Uphold the principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter in all aspects of response and recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, but not limited to, those of equality, and respect for the promotion and protection of human rights for all without discrimination on any grounds, as articulated in article II, and access to health, education, food and shelter, as articulated in article XI.
Ensure that any response and recovery efforts are inclusive of LGBTI+ people and their particular needs, and that these efforts will reach the most marginalised and vulnerable and not worsen existing inequalities and marginalisation. This includes, but is not limited to, access to healthcare services; employment and paid leave; welfare, benefits and emergency economic support; access to education; food security; access to housing; and access to justice.
Introduce and implement policies that ensure the safety and security of all persons, without discrimination, including support for those who are victims of domestic and intimate partner violence or who are made homeless, and that ensure state agents, including the police and the military, are accountable for any decisions or actions they take.
Ensure that data gathered during the pandemic is disaggregated by sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, among other grounds and identities, in support of the above.