Gender and Climate Justice by COPGendered

Policymakers at all levels (international, national, regional, local) and civil society leaders need to create the conditions for meaningful LGBTIQ representation and participation. As Rebecca Sutton from the organisation Lesbisk Makt (Lesbian Power) points out:

“It is important not to put the responsibility on LGBTIQ people to create an inclusive environment but to work proactively to create an environment where people can devote themselves to the issue without having to spend their energy on dealing with microaggressions.”

Organisers and allies must be aware of and try to minimise potential risks associated with being publicly visible as an LGBTIQ person who speaks out on climate justice. Activist movements should also ensure that activists who identify as LGBTIQ have access to safe spaces and influential platforms. Increasing the representation of LGBTIQ is one step toward creating safe spaces. There are many more ways to do this, such as gender-neutral and inclusive language.

The changes needed to promote equal participation of LGBTIQ people must be part of a structural transformation in all societies towards more gender-inclusive equality, addressing the structural discrimination stemming from patriarchy, heteronormativity and other intersecting structures of discrimination and oppression. States have to assume their responsibilities and ensure the human rights of sexual and gender minority populations are met and that their climate change and adaptation policies respond to their needs as well. They must adopt laws and guidelines that prevent discrimination, especially for disaster prevention and relief institutions.