In this paper, the undersigned members of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) call on all governments to limit the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on people identified based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
Although the virus may seem to strike indiscriminately, its spread and consequences along with measures taken to combat the pandemic affect specific groups differently depending on existing inequalities and exclusion mechanisms in societies and power structures, leaving the most marginalised even more vulnerable.
LGBTI persons often experience discrimination and stigmatisation in health care systems.
Government measures to combat the pandemic must be lawful, and should be proportionate, necessary, of a temporary nature and take into consideration the disproportionate impact on specific populations or marginalised groups.
