While the COVID-19 pandemic affects the general population, it disproportionately affects vulnerable sectors, including LGBTQI communities, due to SOGIESC-related stigma and discrimination.

Civil society organizations in Asia Pacific—such as International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), APCOM, Asia Pacific Transgender Network, Pink Alliance, ILGA Asia, International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific, Youth Voices Count — have joined forced and signed on an open letter to WHO’s Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging WHO to include aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) into their policies, programs and WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See the letter here.

Photo credit: apcom.org