What data tells us about LGBTI rights in Haiti
The “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean” project is collecting data on the human rights situation of LGBTI people in Haiti, in preparation for a report that will showcase the results of this research. Seventeen LGBTI civil society organizations from six departments across the country have participated in a series of focus group discussions, which have helped shed light on the human rights violations they experience and the key development challenges they face.
The information collected so far reflects several cross-cutting issues, that have been identified as the main challenges LGBTI people face in Haiti: the burden of extreme poverty; precarious access to education; the pervasiveness of machismo and patriarchal culture; and the influence of a number of religious leaders who promote messages of intolerance in public spaces.
LGBTI organizations noted that there has been an undeniable rise of homophobia and transphobia in recent years. The accusations against the LGBTI community for having “caused” the 2010 earthquake, the public outcry and ultimate cancellation of the Massimadi Festival planned in 2016, and the proposed law banning same-sex marriage and public support for LGBTI rights in 2017 offer just a few examples. Systemic and day-to-day emotional and physical violence are part of the reality of LGBTI communities.
One of the areas where LGBTI people experience multiple discrimination is in accessing health services. For example, gay men or trans people living with HIV experience double discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and because they live with HIV. As a result, health care providers may be less willing to address their needs. Consequently, access to adequate care for people living with HIV is a priority for these groups.
Furthermore, trans people experience several forms of violence in Haiti. Daily, they are victims of verbal harassment and sometimes even physical violence in public spaces, including public transport. Some specific areas of Port-au-Prince are to be avoided at all costs for their own personal safety. Sadly, the family unit remains a source of discrimination or even rejection for LGBTI people.
In terms of access to education, many LGBTI youth drop out of school due to the discrimination they experience. Significant obstacles to access to justice by LGBTI communities remain when denouncing the violations they experience. Recent research has identified homophobic reactions on the part of police officers and judges, who refuse to take forward complaints, or who blame the victim of violence and discrimination.
During consultations, LGBTI groups insisted on the need for greater education and advocacy efforts to combat stigma and discrimination in the country. In their view, structural and political changes would pave the way for meaningful progress on LGBTI human rights and greater inclusion of LGBTI people at all levels of society. Working in partnership to promote systemic and structural change was noted as a priority.
Participatory focus group discussions have helped BLIC project staff to look at human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in the health, education, justice, and law enforcement sectors, as well as within the family. The results of this research will be published in the framework of the “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean” project.
