Lived Realities for LGBTI People around the world

Violence, discrimination, stigma, and criminalization negatively impact the lives of millions of LGBTI1 people around the world.  LGBTI people face criminalization in approximately 70 countries – several of which can impose the death penalty – and anti-LGBTI violence can be life-threatening.  Further, access to employment, housing, and essential services such as education and healthcare is often denied to LGBTI people.  Despite these extremely difficult realities, there are brave, passionate, and resilient LGBTI leaders and civil society organizations in nearly every country that work tirelessly to advance human rights.  It is due to their efforts that meaningful change is possible.