The missing group of victims in conflict-related violence (original) (raw)

Queering women, peace and security

In all regions, people experience violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. In many cases, even the perception of homosexuality or trans-gender identity puts people at risk. 1 After 15 years of advocacy and policy action related to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) architecture, 2 the continued silence about homophobic and trans-phobic violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals in conflict-related environments is alarming. Those vulnerable to insecurity and violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity remain largely neglected by the international peace and security community. This neglect is in part the result of heteronormative assumptions in the framing of the WPS agenda. The goal of this article is not only to point out this silence but also to propose ways in which a queer security analysis can address and redress these silences in policy through paying attention to the damaging role heteronorma-tivity and cisprivilege play in sustaining the current gap in analysis of gendered violence. 3 A queer theory analysis reveals a wide spectrum of identities that do not fit neatly into a binary conception of gender restricted to exclusive categories of male/female or man/woman. This article reviews the policy implications of excluding sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against LGBTQ individuals from policy implementation and NGO monitoring of the WPS agenda. Because LGBTQ individuals are under constant threat in many places, viewing the shifts in insecurity for this population in conflict-related environments through a gender lens offers a significant contribution to how policy-makers understand human security more broadly. Understanding what drives violence against individuals marginalized for their sexual orientation and gender identity will also shed light on the larger question of how SGBV operates in conflict

LGBTQ Perspectives in Peacebuilding

The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies, 2021

Feminist scholars have long touted the necessity of employing a gender lens to better understand power and violence in global politics. Sexuality is an important dimension of these gendered power dynamics. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) perspectives in peacebuilding unsettle the assumptions about what is the “correct” or “normal” sexual orientation, gender identity, or family structure. Drawing on a multiplicity of LGBTQ voices to inform post-conflict responses allows for a more expansive approach to understanding what gendered insecurities look like and how best to respond to them. Centering LGBTQ communities in responses to conflictrelated violence is also important when working to develop peacebuilding processes that move beyond the heteronormative patriarchal power dynamics that have historically resulted in violent conflict. LGBTQ perspectives in peacebuilding introduce voices generally marginalized or left out entirely.

Minimizing protection gaps for LGBTQ people living in conflict

2021

In June of 2021 the United Nation’s Independent Expert (IE) on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity published a report about thematic work on gender theory as it relates to the IE’s mandate. This policy brief answers some of the key questions raised by the IE’s gender theory research, with a focus on LGBTQ people’s experiences living in conflict.

Call for Papers - Queer Peacebuilding

Revista de Estudios Sociales

This proposed special issue explores what “queering” means in the context of peacebuilding. The issue addresses an unexamined gap in peacebuilding efforts to achieve gender justice and inclusive security in conflict-affected societies, namely the unique experiences of LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) individuals and their collective efforts to achieve social justice in contexts of sociopolitical violence. Although there is now over two decades of work to include attention to gender in peacebuilding efforts, little of this work focuses specifically on queer perspectives. This special issue will document and analyze the practices and impacts of queer inclusion efforts, as well as how these translate in meaningful ways and for future peacebuilding efforts. Its contribution will inform better practice for local and international actors working to include attention to LGBTIQ individuals in peace, security, and social justice agendas as informed by the Colombian and other contexts. The issue also seeks to complicate existing understandings of the inclusion or invisibility of gender and sexual diversity in political transitions, revealing previously unexplored dynamics of queering peace and security.

Under Construction: Toward a Theory and Praxis of Queer Peacebuilding

Revista de Estudios Sociales , 2023

This article explores what queer as a concept brings to peacebuilding, presenting a guiding framework and introduction for a special issue on queer peacebuilding. It offers an initial approach to the topic, which means to center queer and trans perspectives of peace and bring queer epistemologies to bear on how peace is constituted so as to reartic- ulate the concept both in theory and praxis. In doing so, it addresses an unexamined gap in peacebuilding efforts to achieve gender justice and inclusive security in conflict-affected societies, namely the unique experiences of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer) individuals and their collective efforts to achieve social justice in these contexts. The authors approach the topic of queer peacebuilding through three questions: What is queer peacebuilding?, ‘Why is queer peacebuilding important? and What can queer peacebuilding contribute? While the impacts of queer peacebuilding in sites of conten- tious politics around the globe are visible, it remains an emergent and somewhat elusive concept, still under construction within peace and security scholarship and practice. By presenting a conceptualization of the notion of queer peacebuilding, the authors seek to further academic efforts to construct and analyze queer peace. Este artículo explora lo que aporta el concepto queer/cuir a la construcción de paz, exponiendo un marco de referencia y una introducción para un número temático sobre la construcción de paz queer/cuir. Se presenta una aproximación inicial a este tema, lo que significa centrar las perspectivas queer/cuir y trans de la paz, así como aportar epistemologías queer/cuir a la forma en que se constituye la paz para rearticular el concepto tanto en la teoría, como en la práctica. Con ello, se aborda un vacío en los esfuerzos de construcción de la paz que buscan alcanzar justicia de género y seguridad inclusiva en sociedades afectadas por conflictos, es decir, se examinan las experiencias únicas de las personas LGBTQ (lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, trans y queer) y sus esfuerzos colectivos en pos de lograr la justicia social en esos contextos. Los autores abordan el tema de la construcción de la paz queer/cuir a través de tres preguntas: ¿qué es la construcción de la paz queer/cuir?, ¿por qué es importante la construcción de la paz queer/cuir? y ¿en qué puede contribuir la construcción de la paz queer/cuir?. Aunque los impactos de la consolidación de la paz queer/cuir en los lugares de conflicto político de todo el mundo son visibles, este sigue siendo un concepto emergente y un tanto esquivo, que todavía se está construyendo dentro de los estudios y las prácticas de paz y seguridad. Al presentar una conceptualización de la noción de construcción de la paz queer/cuir, los autores pretenden impulsar los esfuerzos académicos para construirla y analizarla.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as a part of the Women, Peace and Security Project

LSE Centre for Women, Peace and Security Working Paper Series, 2016

United Nations Security Resolution 1325 was the first resolution to draw attention to women and girls during conflict, as well as the first to consider gendered experiences of war. Yet those vulnerable to insecurity and violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity remain largely neglected by the international peace and security community. While much has been accomplished by WPS projects, there is an alarming lack of attention to how homophobic and transphobic violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals occurs in conflict-related environments.

Queering Women, Peace and Security: A Practice-Based Toolkit

2023

This toolkit provides a guide for how to queer Women, Peace and Security in practice through three main sections: 1) Queering the four pillars of WPS, 2) Feminist and LGBTQ collaborations, and 3) Queering WPS National Action Plans. The toolkit was developed in partnership with Colombia Diversa drawing on their work in the Colombian peace process, supporting LGBTQ individuals through transformative justice practices, and engaging in the drafting of the country’s first WPS National Action Plan in 2023.

LGBT Identity, Violence, and Social Justice: The Psychological Is Political

International Journal for The Advancement of Counselling, 2003

This article reviews the statistical evidence of LGBT violence in the United States and in the world. In the United States the statistics are from Amnesty International and the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. Statistics and other information about LGBT violence in other countries of the world come from many different sources. Reasons why this violence exists and international human rights responses are reviewed. The authors argue for a greater role for mental health organizations in the amelioration of prejudice against LGBT people and for more involvement of these organizations in social justice issues around the world. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions.

Starting and Sustaining LGBTQ Antiviolence Programs in a Southern State

Partner Abuse, 2015

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) persons experience partner and other violence at high levels requiring culturally competent interventions. Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP)—a 501(c)(3) organization in Virginia (organized in 2006 and incorporated since 2008)—has a mission focusing on LGBTQ experiences of violence, and has collaborative bonds with organizations involved with sexual and partner violence, promoting LGBTQ community health and safety, and concerned with social inclusion and legal protection of LGBTQ individuals, families, and communities. VAVP’s programs have increased provider and community competency and capacity toward improving LGBTQ safety, health, and well-being. Findings from a statewide assessment of transgender Virginians, and other local research informs its programs, including advocacy, training, direct services, and its consulting platform, VAVP’s research, organizational development, and contextual issues may inform oth...