While deployed in certain countries and cultures, LGBT humanitarian staff can encounter hostility, harassment, and targeted violence. In some places, identifying as LGBT is not just against cultural or religious norms, but punishable by imprisonment or death.
This community is highly vulnerable in some areas of the world, explained Michael Blyth, chief operations officer at Risk and Strategic Management, which provides training and operational support services to global organizations and recently developed a free course on LGBTQAI safety and security. Although it can be a sensitive issue for organizations to raise, they have a responsibility to make sure their staff are informed of the risks, know how to mitigate them, and fully understand the situation they are going into, he said.
But the safety and security of LGBT staff is also an “everybody issue.” When all staff are informed and can appreciate the challenges that LGBT staff face, they can help reduce the risks and avoid sharing information that could put their colleague in danger, added Denise Furnell, a seasoned international security consultant who has worked extensively with humanitarian organizations in Asia and the Middle East.
About the author
Emma Smith@emmasmith_bcn
For four years, Emma Smith covered careers and recruitment, among other topics, for Devex. She now freelances for Devex and has a special interest in mental health, immigration, and sexual and reproductive health. She holds a degree in journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and a master’s in media and international conflict.
