On June 19th, ILGA Europe published a report entitled “COVID-19 impacts on LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia: A rapid assessment report” to provide specific references to the impacts of COVID-19 on LGBTI people, organisations and communities, based on inputs from a survey of ILGA-Europe members, direct communications with members, as well as publicly accessible reports and webinars from members and organisations in the region.
ILGA-Europe received reports from 30 countries of impacts on access to healthcare from across Europe and Central Asia, showing how pre-existing limitations in LGBTI-affirming healthcare were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare systems redirected their resources, targeted mental health services which were interrupted or experienced radical increases in demand after moving online during confinement. Access to sexual and reproductive health was also negatively impacted.
The report includes information on 8 macro areas, among others, health, hate speech, domestic violence and access to justice.
Postponement or cancellation of transition-related medical care, which is considered to be life-saving for trans people, accessing sexual health and HIV services, as well as targeted hate speech from political and/or religious leaders were reported in 12 countries. Increased incidences of domestic violence towards LGBTI persons were reported in 23 countries, while reports of impediments to accessing legal gender recognition were received from 8 countries.
This initial report constitutes a rapid assessment which shall be expanded and updated in future releases by ILGA-Europe. Moreover, Organisation Intersex International Europe (OII Europe) is planning to conduct an intersex-specific survey of COVID-19 impacts in the near future.
ILGA-Europe are an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation bringing together nearly 600 organisations from 54 countries in Europe and Central Asia. We are part of the wider international ILGA organisation, but ILGA-Europe were established as a separate region of ILGA and an independent legal entity in 1996. ILGA itself was created in 1978. www.ilga-europe.org
To request more information on any specific points discussed in therapid report, please contact Cianán Russell at [email protected] and Akram Kubanychbekov at [email protected]
