The Human Dignity Trust has made public for the first time our strategic plan for the five-year period between 2024 to 2029, clearly laying out the strategic objectives that will frame our work for the next five years, whilst also highlighting our successful track record since our inception in 2011, and the theory of change that underpins our work.
The Trust will continue to contribute to the global effort to end LGBT criminalisation through five key pillars of work: strategic human rights litigation; legislative reform; media, communications and public education; international and regional advocacy, and operational strengthening.
To best deliver the goals envisaged in our five-year strategy, the Trust is grateful for the input of key funders and partners, who in 2023 contributed feedback on our work. The plan reflects those consultations, to ensure that we continue to support the priorities of the communities we serve.
This is a critical moment in the global effort to decriminalise consensual same-sex intimacy. We have seen immense progress since the Human Dignity Trust was founded in 2011. Then, more than 80 countries maintained these archaic criminal offences. As of July 2024, this number has dropped to 63.
At present, there is an alarming, parallel trend of new draconian laws being proposed and passed that aim to further demonise and outlaw LGBT people. Determined—and well-funded— opponents of human rights are intent on rolling back hard-won gains and fomenting repression and fear.
Therefore, our work, together with our outstanding local partners, is more vital than ever. As we collaborate to win more victories and keep regression at bay, our commitment to human dignity and the rule of law remains steadfast.
Our strategic plan demonstrates how we will continue to support our partners, in both civil society and government, to eradicate the dozens of remaining laws that criminalise LGBT people, whilst also expanding our geographical reach and internal capacity so that our work can flourish and accelerate in this pivotal period.
