Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer persons suffer discrimination and violence at home, in school, at the workplace and in the community.
For those who also have disabilities, the suffering worsens.
Their call for the recognition and protection of their human rights deserves serious attention and appropriate action.
But proper response at various levels - from family and society to government – on their suffering has been weak, if not lacking.
How can their own relatives, friends and co-workers accept and respect them for what they are? How can the gaps between perception and real situation be clarified or at least narrowed? How can others who do not recognize their sexual orientation and gender identity be able to understand them and ultimately respect their human rights?
The international human rights standards cover “everyone” – regardless of “race, colour, sex, language, religion” and other statuses. But the rights that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer persons (even more for those with disabilities also) should enjoy are not widely recognized.
In the discussions and dialogues on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer persons appropriate understanding of their varied situations is a significant starting point. From there, proper recognition and protection of their rights should follow.