UN Report Reveals Scale of Violence Against Lesbians and Queer Women in Latin America

Graeme Reid, the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, presented a report at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council detailing the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women. The document, prepared with input from the human rights network “Red Sin Violencia LGBTIQ+,” highlights systemic issues across Latin America and the Caribbean, where violence is frequently used to enforce traditional gender norms.

According to human rights advocates , aggression toward LBQ women is not a series of isolated incidents, but rather an instrument of social regulation. This reality forces many women to hide their sexual orientation, alter their appearance, and limit their presence in public spaces. The report places special emphasis on violence perpetrated by family members, including threats, physical assaults, and so-called “corrective rapes.” Such crimes are often justified under the guise of protecting “family honor” and are dismissed by local authorities as private conflicts, which severely restricts access to justice.

Experts identify statistical invisibility as a major obstacle. Most state systems do not record the sexual orientation of crime victims. This omission leads to the misclassification of offenses, conceals the true scope of the problem, and fosters a climate of impunity. Furthermore, institutional prejudices hinder investigations, as authorities frequently ignore the underlying motive of hatred.

As part of their recommendations, the UN and human rights defenders are urging states to improve their data collection systems, incorporate hate motive analysis into criminal investigations, provide training for judicial personnel, and guarantee effective compensation mechanisms for victims and their families.