Back to the Dignity and Inclusion Learning Initiative overview
Picture taken by Nicolas Schmidt, UNIDO
On 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a major step towards promoting and safeguarding the rights of LGBTIQ+* individuals. Over 30 years after that decision, many positive milestones have been achieved in a variety of countries, including marriage equality and the passing of non-discrimination laws. However, a lot of progress remains to be made as hate crimes, discrimination in the workplace, as well as detrimental stigma and stereotypes still dominate the lives of many LGBTIQ+ indiviudals.
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* LGBTIQ+ stands for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer” (IOM and UNHCR 2021, p. 5).
The 2019 UN system-wide Enabling Environment Guidelines call for championing workplace diversity, including by ensuring that “[i]individuals are valued regardless of (...) sex, gender identity or expression [or] sexual orientation".
The Part 1 LGBTIQ+ Inclusion training module is delivered by an external LGBTIQ+ specialist, facilitators from IAEA and UNIDO and representatives UN-Globe and aims to: 1) Provide an introduction to diversity and why it matters for organizations, 2) Present terminology related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), 3) Shed light on key issues and barriers people with SOGIESC experience and how these can be reduced, 4) Challenge common, problematic beliefs about people with diverse SOGIESC, 5) Promote inclusive communication around SOGIESC topics, and 6) Support the creation of safer spaces for those with diverse SOGIESC within the Vienna-based Organizations.
Part 2 LGBTIQ+ Inclusion training module is an advanced module aimed at personnel who have already completed Part 1. Building on this knowledge, this module will consist of an open discussion on topics such as current events, pop culture, or personal experiences related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. To ensure a participant-led approach, registered attendees will be consulted in advance to select topics of interest. This module is based on IOM's and UNHCR's 2021 SOGIESC and Migration Training Package, the materials of which are available.
Online Resources:
- UNforAll Posters
- TRANS Poster
- IOM SOGIESC Poster 2021
- Enabling Environment in Focus: LGBTIQ+
- IOM Gender-Inclusive Communication Guidance 2021
- UNGLOBE Brochure: Vienna
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