UN-GLOBE, the LGBTQI advocacy staff body of the United Nations (UN) System, has partnered with Fordham Law School’s The Leitner Center for International Law and Justice on a project examining the mobility of current and former LGBTQI UN and diplomatic mission staff.
The aim of the project is better mobility policies, security, and protections for LGBTQI staff worldwide. There will be two outputs:
• A white paper with recommendations
• A digital, interactive world map
The digital map will enable participants to share information about their experiences at the country level in a safe and secure way. It is currently being designed by a former UN staff member and will be maintained by UN-GLOBE.
This is an open call for participants willing to be interviewed for the white paper and for participants willing to participate in the early stages of the digital map.
Anyone who identifies as LGBTQI and fits into one or more of the below categories is eligible to participate:
- Current or former UN staff members, including consultants, interns, contractors and UNVs who have served in the field;
- Diplomatic mission employees;
- Anyone who has turned down a UN or diplomatic mission offer of employment and/or been deterred from applying because of the inability to secure a visa for a spouse, or fears prevalent homophobia or transphobia in the assigned country;
- UN Human Resources officers;
- The participation of other international NGOs, non-profits, foundations and private sector employees will be sought later.
Among other issues, the project will explore instances of homophobic and/or transphobic discrimination in the office or country, physical or digital risks specific to LGBTQI staff, and concerns securing visas for spouses (including resident, work, or tourist visas).
Interviews for the white paper can be conducted in-person if the participant is in New York City, or by phone, Skype or another Internet-based conferencing service.
Anonymity can be granted and nothing will be shared in any form without explicit permission.
This open call remains in effect until 1 June 2016.
To participate, please write to UN-GLOBE at ohrm_globe@un.org.
For updates on this project and to read about the work of UN-GLOBE, please click here.
For more resources on LGBTQI staff in the UN, please click here.
