Evidence-based Policies for the LGBTI+ Population

In recent decades, some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have made significant strides in legally protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other (LGBTI+) individuals. For example, Ecuador and Bolivia have integrated measures to protect the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities into their constitutions. Countries such as Brazil, Honduras, Colombia, and Mexico have established legal protections against discrimination. However, prejudice against this population persists in the region, and there is still much to be done to ensure they do not encounter barriers to accessing health care, education, the job market, and social participation.

The exclusion of a group based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is not only a human rights issue but also a barrier to the economic development of countries. According to the OECD, discrimination against LGBTI+ individuals hinders the productive growth capacity of countries due to barriers this population faces in accessing the job market (and other markets such as financial and real estate, as well as accessing public services). Additionally, a study by the Williams Institute suggested that limitations on the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities may be associated with losses in work time, productivity, and the inefficient allocation of human resources.

Ecuador: a Role Model in Collecting Data on the LGBTI+ Population

For over 10 years, various public institutions in Ecuador have made progress in generating rigorous evidence reflecting the living situation of LGBTI+ individuals. Some examples include:

• The National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC, for its acronym in Spanish) in 2013 took the initiative to investigate the situation of LGBTI+ individuals in Ecuador. This study, which collected information from 2,805 people, revealed that 70.9% of respondents had experienced discrimination, 65.9% rejection, and 61.4% had suffered violence mainly from their own families. Additionally, 27.3% reported having suffered violence from police agents, with 94.1% being victims of verbal abuse and 45.8% of arbitrary detentions. These data, collected ten years ago, were very relevant for policy design, but now it is necessary to carry out new data collection exercises to provide up-to-date and quality information for designing appropriate and impactful interventions.
• In 2022, the Penitentiary Census of Ecuador was conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights. One of the most significant achievements of this process was the incorporation of a specific section addressing sexual orientation and gender identity. The purpose of including this section was to collect essential information about the characteristics and legal situation of the population, as well as their perception of access to goods and services and infrastructure in Penitentiary Centers.
• Additionally, as part of the Population and Housing Census, INEC, in cooperation with the Undersecretariat of Diversities of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights, promoted, for the first time in the region, the inclusion of a section in the questionnaire for collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity of people in surveyed households. This effort will allow for a better understanding of the multiple demographic, geographic, and labor dimensions that characterize individuals who identify as part of the LGBTI+ population in the country.
• Another study of great relevance on diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in Ecuador is Violence and Restrictions on the Expression of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. In 2022, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Undersecretariat of Diversities of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights of Ecuador, carried out a study through its U-Report initiative. In this study, which involved 29,225 people aged 13 to 18, it was revealed that 53% of participants did not feel safe in their educational environment to freely express their sexual orientation. Additionally, 21% reported having experienced pressure, both from their families and society, to “reconsider” their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Institutional Milestones to Guarantee the Well-being of LGBTI+ People in Ecuador

The data collected in the multiple studies have not only contributed to a more rigorous characterization of the LGBTI+ population but have also led to institutional reforms that transform data into specific initiatives.

In 2021, Ecuador achieved an important milestone by institutionalizing the Undersecretariat of Diversities, whose fundamental mission is the “promotion of the rights of the LGBTI+ population through the prevention and eradication of violence and discrimination related to sexual orientation and gender diversity.” Under the leadership of the Undersecretariat, the LGBTI+ Diversity Action Plan (PAD) 2022-2025 has been developed, which is based on four essential components: 1) Prevention of Violence and Discrimination, 2) Guarantee of the Right to Institutional Goods and Services, 3) Promotion of the Restoration of Rights, 4) Strengthening of Institutional Capacities.

Additionally, in an effort to standardize the concepts and terminology used, a Glossary was created, which collects the definitions most frequently used internationally on sexual orientation, identity, and gender expression. Its purpose is to provide a clear understanding of sexual and gender diversity, thus contributing to the promotion and protection of the rights of this population.

How Does the IDB Support the Inclusion of LGBTI+ People?

1. Generation of evidence on discrimination against the LGBTI+ population

The IDB has supported recent research that has provided a new perspective on the discrimination faced by gay and lesbian individuals in two crucial sectors:

• Research on LGBTI+ individuals in the labor market: In a study conducted in Quito, Ecuador, 394 human resources professionals were recruited who completed at least one test, and 150 people participated in the exercise through a field experimental methodology to evaluate differences in treatment towards gay and lesbian individuals in the workplace. This methodology allows for results closer to real-life situations by simulating everyday scenarios in the labor market. The study’s findings confirmed the existence of discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is noteworthy that evidence was found that lesbian candidates were considered more suitable for jobs, although they were offered lower salaries than their heterosexual peers. Meanwhile, gay men were subject to another form of discrimination as they were selected less often for jobs and perceived as less qualified. These findings underscore disparities in the perception and treatment of LGBT+ individuals in the workplace.
• Research on LGBTI+ individuals in the real estate market: The IDB supported two studies in Ecuador that examined, through the application of field experiments, discrimination in the real estate market against gay couples, heterosexual couples consisting of a transgender person, and LGBT+ couples (in progress. The studies revealed that couples consisting of a transgender person faced barriers when seeking housing compared to cisgender heterosexual couples: it was found that couples with a trans person received 19% fewer responses from real estate agents, 27% fewer positive responses, and 23% fewer invitations to view properties.

2. Strengthening of inter-institutional alliances

To improve the inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Latin America, the IDB actively collaborates with various countries in the region. In Ecuador, it coordinates with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights; in Costa Rica, with the Ministry of Justice and Peace; and in Argentina, with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The purpose of these collaborations is to improve how the security and justice sectors provide attention and services to the LGBTI+ population. The project has two main components:

1. Surveys of public entities and civil organizations to explore interactions of LGBTI+ individuals with security and justice services.
2. Regional guide of recommendations for proper care and treatment of LGBTI+ individuals by institutions in the security and justice sectors.

Additionally, activities such as the event “Proud of Who We Are” stand out, in which representatives from the governments of Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Argentina discussed best practices for improving security and justice services for LGBTI+ individuals. Representatives from major civil society organizations and academia also attended this event and shared their recommendations.

LGBTI+ Public Policies: From Information to Action

In conclusion, research and the collection of solid data to diagnose the current situation of the LGBTI+ population must be a priority. The IDB reinforces its commitment to the social and economic inclusion of individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities with examples such as Ecuador.

We will continue working to achieve this goal, fostering a culture of active collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society. Through these partnerships, combined with the strengthening of institutional structures, we can build societies that embrace diversity and ensure the well-being and prosperity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.