Outright International publishes report on killings of LGBT people worldwide

On October 27, 2026, international LGBT human rights organisation Outright International presented an online report on killings linked to victims’ sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. As MambaOnline reported on October 31, the research covers January 2020 to July 2026. Its annex contains 233 entries.

Killed for Who They Are includes studies of the situation in 17 countries and a list of people killed across regions. The authors cross-checked reports from international bodies, media, journalists and civil society organisations. They included cases in which authorities, families or human rights defenders had reason to suspect a motive of prejudice against someone’s actual or perceived orientation, gender identity, expression or sex characteristics.

The online summary lists 88 trans women and girls and 74 gay, bisexual and queer men among the victims. Another 14 entries fall under “other or undisclosed”: this includes victims whose identity is unknown and people killed alongside LGBT victims.

According to the full report, victims in the cases described ranged from 12 to 77 years old; at least 18 were under 18. Researchers were able to document the killings of only two intersex people. The authors attribute the small number of such entries to gaps in recognition and recording, rather than an absence of violence.

Outright stresses that the list is not a complete global statistic. More recorded cases in a country may reflect stronger monitoring rather than a higher rate of killings. Criminalisation, stigma and fear of police hinder families and survivors from reporting violence, the authors say. Discussion participants from Colombia Diversa and South Africa’s Forum for the Empowerment of Women also spoke about the need for reliable data, resources and practical implementation of protective laws.

The report contains 31 recommendations. The organisation proposes repealing criminal bans on consensual same-sex relations, investigating possible hate crimes, improving data collection and independent police oversight. Outright also calls for references to sexual orientation and gender identity to remain in the UN General Assembly’s resolution on extrajudicial executions, with another vote expected in 2026.

Uránia previously covered the SinViolencia LGBTIQ+ network’s regional report on killings of LGBT people in Latin America.