Strengthening Support to LGBTIQ Adolescents: Policy report on the rationale and scope for strengthening support to adolescents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning

Commissioned by Plan UK and Plan Sweden, this policy report is part of a greater scoping exercise on why and how Plan International could strengthen its programme, advocacy and institutional support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ) adolescents.

The report begins by providing general information on LGBTIQ adolescents worldwide: their legal and social status, their needs, the impact of marginalisation on their development, and current international support for action. Discussion then continues to lessons learned, service delivery issues, and Plan’s existing support to LGBTIQ adolescents. Conclusions and recommendations are made from a broad perspective, enabling not only Plan but also the international community to learn and develop better programming from a ‘do no harm’ perspective.

Many of the findings from this report were found to have meaning and value for other organisations and institutions who are considering how to progress in relation to LGBTIQ adolescents. The findings are therefore presented in order to promote discussion amongst civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments, donors and the international development community at large.