countries criminalise private, consensual same-sex sexual activity
Source: Human Dignity Trust (opens in a new tab)An international human-rights initiative
Equality needs more than recognition. It needs protection.
SHIELD LGBT is working toward a comprehensive international convention dedicated to eliminating discrimination and protecting the dignity, freedom, equality and safety of LGBTQ persons worldwide.
A global convention for equality, dignity and protection
01
The purpose
A global standard for LGBTQ human rights
International human-rights law affirms that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Yet millions of LGBTQ persons continue to experience criminalization, violence, exclusion, persecution and systemic discrimination. SHIELD LGBT seeks to help transform universal principles into comprehensive and specific international protection.
Human impact
The protection gap, in evidence
These figures use precise legal and reporting definitions and link directly to the issuing organisations.
countries provide constitutional protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation
Source: UNDP and ILGA World (opens in a new tab)UN Member States allow legal gender recognition based on self-determination at the national level
Source: ILGA World Database (opens in a new tab)anti-LGBTI hate incidents were reported to OSCE/ODIHR in 2024 across 35 participating States
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (opens in a new tab)Sources and scope
Human Dignity Trust, ILGA World Database, UNDP and OSCE/ODIHR. Legal data updated to June 2026; incident data relates to 2024. Figures reflect the methodologies and reporting coverage of the cited organisations and should not be interpreted as comprehensive global totals. Hate crime is significantly under-reported.
Our foundation
Six pillars of protection
A framework rooted in universal rights and collective responsibility.
Dignity
Every LGBTQ person possesses equal and inherent human dignity.
Equality
Discrimination must be prohibited in law, policy, institutions and everyday life.
Safety
States must prevent, investigate and punish violence directed against LGBTQ persons.
Freedom
LGBTQ persons must be able to live openly without fear, coercion or criminalization.
Recognition
Laws and institutions must respect identity, relationships, family life and personal autonomy.
Solidarity
International cooperation is necessary wherever national protection is absent or insufficient.
REMEMBRANCE
Our story
Born from remembrance. Guided by hope.
SHIELD LGBT was shaped by acts of violence that turned places of visibility and community into scenes of grief. It seeks to transform remembrance into international legal protection, responsibility and action.
Read the complete storyLegal foundations
Building on the foundations of international human-rights law
SHIELD LGBT draws inspiration from landmark instruments while responding to the need for specific, comprehensive protection.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A foundational international instrument informing the proposed framework.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
A foundational international instrument informing the proposed framework.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
A foundational international instrument informing the proposed framework.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
A foundational international instrument informing the proposed framework.
Official United Nations logos are not used. Institutional marks require confirmed permission and licensing.
The proposed instrument
One framework. Comprehensive protection.
The proposed convention would bring connected areas of protection into a coherent international legal instrument.
01Equality and non-discrimination
02Protection from violence and hate crimes
03Decriminalization
04Legal recognition and personal identity
05Family and private life
06Health
07Education
08Employment
09Housing
10Expression, association and peaceful assembly
11Asylum and international protection
12Data collection and accountability
13International monitoring and state reporting
Help build the next generation of human-rights protection.
SHIELD LGBT begins as an idea, but international standards are built through research, dialogue, advocacy and collective action.