Violence and discrimination have increased against LGBT people in Haiti since the January 2010 earthquake, according to a joint statement by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and SEROvie, a Haitian HIV/AIDS group. An IGLHRC/SEROvie report shows LGBT Haitians are facing a range of human rights violations as measures of security (such as support networks and physical barriers) were displaced or damaged, emergency services excluded them (for example, by distributing rations only to female heads-of-household) and community centers were destroyed. Conservative leaders have blamed LGBT people and their “sins” for the earthquake, increasing stigma and violence against the minority. The report also documents how HIV has affected the situation for LGBT Haitians.

To read the IGLHRC/SEROvie statement, click here.