UN Member States explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in their constitutions.
Source: ILGA World (June 2026) (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
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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
Across the world's 193 UN Member States, legal protections for LGBTQ+ people remain unequal. These figures highlight how many countries explicitly recognise fundamental rights and protections, based on the latest available international legal research.
UN Member States allow nationwide legal gender recognition based on self-determination.
Source: ILGA World (June 2026) (opens in a new tab)UN Member States legally recognise same-sex marriage nationwide.
Source: ILGA World (June 2026) (opens in a new tab)UN Member States have hate-crime legislation explicitly protecting against crimes motivated by sexual orientation.
Source: ILGA World (September 2026) (opens in a new tab)Data reviewed: 21 October 2026 | Source: ILGA World
These figures measure four specific forms of legal protection and recognition. They do not imply that countries without these particular provisions have no other legal protections for LGBTQ+ people.
Our foundation
SHIELD: six pillars of protection
The symbolic name SHIELD brings together six commitments rooted in universal rights, human dignity and collective responsibility.
S, Safety
Every LGBTQ person has the right to live free from violence, persecution, coercion and fear.
H, Human Rights
LGBTQ rights are universal human rights and must be protected through clear, enforceable international standards.
I, Inclusion
Every LGBTQ person must be able to participate fully, openly and equally in all areas of society.
E, Equality
Laws, policies and institutions must prohibit discrimination and guarantee equal protection for all.
L, Liberation
Freedom from criminalization, oppression and arbitrary interference enables people to live openly and authentically.
D, Dignity
Inherent human dignity belongs equally to every person and never depends on social or political approval.
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.