GATE's Community Reporting Data
GATE created an online form for reporting human rights violations, interruptions to healthcare and other services, or any other irregularities that trans, gender diverse and intersex people face during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every few weeks, we will present this data for our communities to aid in reporting and documenting human rights violations and for mitigating and preventative strategies.
This survey is now closed. We will present the final results of the survey soon.
Reported data: 14 April 2020
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
We have created this list of COVID-19 resources for our communities. We will be continually updating this page to reflect latest information and resources available.
PLEASE NOTE: The links below take you to external sites and are not affiliated with GATE.
COVID-19 Emergency Funds
Urgent Action Fund
Urgent Action Fund’s Rapid Response Grants support the resilience of women’s and trans movements by providing flexible and responsive support to women’s and trans* human rights defenders who face immediate threats. Urgent Action Fund accepts applications in any language using online, text and mobile funding applications. They respond to all requests within 24 hours, 365 days per year. Decisions and funding are usually made within 1 – 10 business days. Activists can receive up to $8,000 USD.
Outright Action International
OutRight Action International has set up a COVID-19 LGBTIQ Emergency Response Fund, offering grants between 2,500 and 10,000 USD to registered and unregistered LGBTIQ organizations. The grants can be used for any emergency that has occurred as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. To be eligible, organizations must work directly with and for LGBTIQ people (including MSM groups, trans groups, LBQ groups, and intersex groups), and be based outside the USA, Canada, the European Economic Area, the UK, Switzerland, Australia or New Zealand.
Elton John AIDS Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund is accepting applications for solutions that have strong potential to address specific challenges that have arisen for people already living with or at severe risk of HIV/AIDS and who are now at heightened risk as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such solutions should aim to demonstrably mitigate the threat of COVID-19 on maintaining current levels of access or increasing access to HIV-related prevention, testing, care and treatment adherence services.
Articles: Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19
Positive Living in the time of COVID-19
Produced by GNP+, ICW Global and Y+ Network.
The newsletter describes the challenges faced by transgender communities, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these communities globally. The newsletter shares powerful stories of resilience and action by transgender organisations to respond to the emergency needs and to advocate for human rights, despite limited resources.
The public health response to COVID-19: balancing precaution and unintended consequences
Written by Stefan David Baral, Sharmistha Mishra, Daouda Diouf, Nittaya Phanuphak, and David Dowdy. Published in Annals of Epidemiology.
This article critiques the global response to COVID-19 and highlights the need to move from a “one-size-fits-all” model to one that considers the health and lives of the most vulnerable communities.
Characterizing the Impact of COVID-19 on Men Who Have Sex with Men Across the United States in April, 2020
Written by Travis H. Sanchez, Maria Zlotorzynska, Mona Rai and Stefan D. Baral. Published in AIDS and Behavior.
This article presents the results of an online survey looking at the COVID-19 related impacts on the sexual health of MSM. Findings are applicable to other key populations living with HIV, including trans and gender diverse people, including issues such as interruptions to HIV-related services.
Global Health Bodies
World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO has released guidelines for the public, including answers to FAQ relating to COVID-19 for staying safe and protecting ourselves and others. We have also included a link to the WHO daily situation report and their map tracking the outbreak.
UNAIDS
UNAIDS has issued guidelines specifically aimed at people living with HIV, including downloadable brochure and infographic on what people living with HIV need to know about HIV and COVID-19, and a report on rights in the time of COVID-19, drawing on lessons from HIV for an effective, community-led response.
The Global Fund
The Global Fund have issued guidelines on grant flexibilities to fight COVID-19 and mitigate the impact the pandemic will have on programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria in vulnerable contexts. The Global Fund is enabling countries to use up to 5% of approved grant funding to help protect and treat vulnerable communities. There are also situation reports released on a regular basis.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) Webinar
The Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) Journal hosted a webinar on the implications of COVID-19 for sexual and reproductive health and rights globally. GATE’s Executive Director discussed this in relation to gender identity, gender expression and bodily diversity. 1000 participants from across the world joined, and the webinar was recorded for those who could not take part.
LINKAGES and EpiC Webinar
The LINKAGES and EpiC projects (supported by USAID and PEPFAR) hosted a special edition webinar in a series entitled Key Populations: Evidence in Action. This webinar explored strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on beneficiaries and staff of key population programs (based on a report) while safely maintaining access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services.
International AIDS Society (IAS)
The IAS have created a new COVID-19 and HIV information portal, featuring the latest COVID-19 information and advice for people living with HIV, as well as ways to get involved. They are also hosting a series of webinars on COVID-19 and HIV.
EQUINET - Regional Network on Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa
EQUINET, the Regional Network on Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa, has released an information sheet on COVID-19, summarising and providing links to official, scientific and other resources.
Community Organizations
Transgender Europe (TGEU)
Transgender Europe are considering ways to support their members and protect human rights throughout the epidemic. They are reviewing their 2020 plans and are looking for ways to support trans communities to the best of their capacities and abilities. They have also provided recommendations to organisations, information on COVID-19 and trans people, and links to external resources.
Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA)
IHRA have created a guidance document for intersex community members, policy makers and allies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
interACT - Advocates for Intersex Youth
The interACT team have created a COVID-19 starter pack with tips and resources for intersex communities. This includes tips on seeking medical care, community and mutual aid resources and self-care tips and resources.
ILGA World
ILGA World have created a collaborative resource for remote working and wellbeing for LGBTI communities, which they are updating regularly. These resources take into consideration how activism might change, how you activists re-organise their work, and how they reach out to communities on the ground.
ILGA Europe
ILGA Europe have created a plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic focused on protecting, adapting and rallying LGBTI communities. This plan and accompanying resources are being updated on a regular basis.
Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN)
The Asia Pacific Transgender Network have created a collaborative list of resources for trans and gender diverse communities in the Asia Pacific region.