This year LGBTI displaced people face double discrimination in accessing housing and searching for employment

The number of internally displaced LGBTI-representatives reporting experiencing discrimination, when searching for employment and housing, has doubled in 2017 as compared to 2016.

As reported in the report of the UN Security Council, issued in June 2017.

As indicated in the bulletin, LGBTI IDPs experience double discrimination due to their IDP status as well as sexual orientation. They may be fired from work once their sexual orientation or gender identity is revealed, or have difficulty finding private housing. They may also be unable to live in temporary housing or collective centers with other displaced people in case their sexual orientation or gender identity is discovered.

In addition, authors of the report note that despite the fact that the Ukrainian Labour Code was updated in 2015, prohibiting discrimination based on SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) in employment, the new draft Labour Code, which is currently being considered by Parliament, does not include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of SOGI.

Discrimination of internally displaced LGBTI-representatives also occurred when accessing health care.

Representatives have reported discrimination in health care institutions and breaches of patient confidentiality regarding sexual orientation and HIV status.

HIV positive LGBTI individuals face additional stigmatization, or even denial of treatment.

HIV positive LGBTI individuals may face additional stigmatization, or even denial of treatment. In addition, those living in areas close to the contact line and in uncontrolled territory may not have the necessary access to HIV treatment, unavailability of hormone therapy treatments for transgender persons, as well as lack of access to sexual health services due to the prejudices of medical staff.

The UN Protection Cluster, the work of which is coordinated by the United Nations Refugee Agency, consists of representatives of humanitarian organizations, including UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations that provide assistance to internally displaced persons and people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The Protection Cluster coordinates protection assistance and works to improve legislation that has a direct impact on citizens affected by the conflict.