New York, October 19, 2026.- A UN expert today called for greater efforts to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans and other gender-diverse (LGBT) persons in global humanitarian responses, warning that they risk being left behind by a humanitarian system constrained by proliferating crises and diminishing resources.
“LGBT persons face multiple forms of exclusion in humanitarian crises,” said Graeme Reid, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in his latest report to the UN General Assembly.
“They may be wary of seeking assistance from institutions where they previously experienced discrimination, are obliged to navigate systems that do not account for their circumstances and family structures and may be denied assistance by humanitarian actors because of perceived legal or operational risks.”
The report critically examines the institutional rationales that underpin this exclusion, including the notion that humanitarian impartiality demands an identity-blind approach, the idea that inclusion is an unaffordable luxury at a time of diminishing humanitarian resources, and perceptions that criminalisation or ‘do no harm’ considerations render engagement impossible.
“The foremost humanitarian imperative is to ensure that assistance reaches people according to need, without discrimination,” Reid said. “This requires identifying those who are most in need and addressing barriers that prevent their access to humanitarian assistance.”
“The criminalisation of same-sex conduct or gender diversity does not automatically prohibit humanitarian assistance, and humanitarian actors should work to distinguish actual restrictions from assumptions that lead to unnecessary disengagement, particularly as LGBT persons often have fewer resources to cope with crises in contexts of criminalisation.”
The report outlines the critical role played by community-led LGBT organisations and informal networks, which serve as de facto humanitarian responders during crises, yet are disproportionately affected by funding reductions and restrictions on civic space and remain largely excluded from humanitarian coordination and decision-making structures.
“Equitable partnerships with LGBT community organisations through the provision of adequate funding, training and security support help ensure these organisations have the resources needed to fulfill their work,” Reid said.
“At the same time, even under financial and operational strains, humanitarian actors can improve LGBT inclusion through relatively modest, low-cost adjustments to existing systems. These include recognising diverse families and gender identities, mitigating specific protection risks, training staff on inclusivity and ensuring the meaningful participation of LGBT persons in decisions and processes affecting them.”
The report provides examples of how institutions can facilitate LGBT inclusion in humanitarian contexts, and calls on States to repeal discriminatory laws, prevent violence and arbitrary detention, uphold privacy and family life and remove unnecessary barriers to assistance. It urges donors to provide adequate humanitarian funding, including sustained and flexible support to LGBT community organisations.