On June 29, USIP hosted a conversation on the vulnerabilities of gender and sexual minorities in conflict settings and the path toward their meaningful inclusion in peacebuilding. The discussion looked at how protection of LGBTQ+ persons can be integrated into broader initiatives on civilian security and violence mitigation and prevention — including engagement with security sector actors — as well as the challenges facing peacebuilders on the ground.

Lise Grande, opening remarks
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace 

Jessica Stern, introductory remarks
U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Persons

Kathleen Coogan 
Senior Advisor for Atrocities Prevention and Gender, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Jay Gilliam 
Senior LGBTQI+ Coordinator, USAID

Neela Ghoshal 
Senior Director, Law, Policy and Research, OutRight Action International

David W. Yang, moderator
Vice President, Applied Conflict Transformation Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/protecting-gender-and-sexual-minorities-peacebuilding