Case Study

Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

in Access to Health Care and Violence/Bias

A Sierra Leone Case Study

Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

in Access to Health Care and Violence/Bias

A Sierra Leone Case Study

Global Rights: Partners for Justice is a human rights organization working in partnership with local activist in Africa, Asia and Latin America to build grass roots movements that promote and protect the rights of populations marginalized because of gender, ethnicity, race, socio economic status, gender orientation or disability. Global Rights: Partners for Justice 1200 18th Street NW Suite 602 Washington DC 20036 www.globalrights.org Global Rights’ partners in Sierra Leone: Dignity Association 79 Pademba Road 3rd Floor Freetown, Sierra Leone Pride Equality Rainbow House 15 John Lane Freetown, Sierra Leone www.prideequality.org Funding for the research, development and publication of this report was generously provided by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) at the U.S. Department of State. This report was produced as part of Global Rights LGBTI program. In the spirit of the United Nations’ encouragement of collective efforts at the international level (Resolutions 49/184), this report is placed in the public domain and put at the disposal of all interested persons to consult or use it. Reproduction is authorized provided that the text is for educational ends not commercial use and on the condition that credit is given to the publisher. Front and back cover images: Pride Equality Back cover translation: “Stand up for Human Rights in Sierra Lone”

Some say that sexual orientation and gender identity are sensitive issues. I understand. Like many of my generation, I did not grow up talking about these issues. But I learned to speak out because lives are at stake, and because it is our duty under the United Nations charter and the universal declaration of human...