COVID-19

In January 2020, a highly contagious novel coronavirus began racing across Wuhan Province in Southern China. By March 2020, COVID-19 had reached nearly all countries on earth. Governments around the world began taking drastic measures in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19: millions of people were all but confined to their homes during staged lockdowns, workers were told to work from home if possible, unprecedented social support packages were introduced, and the healthcare system was put under previously unimaginable strain as hundreds of thousands of people were diagnosed with COVID-19. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, we are becoming more acutely aware of inequities and inequalities in our healthcare systems–and in our COVID-19 response plans. The diverse SOGIESC community faces particular risks from COVID-19 and from government response. This special feature section of the 42 Degrees Library compiles currently available resources on diverse SOGIESC experiences and needs during COVID-19. COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for our community, and involves humanitarian and development practitioners around the world. These resources highlight the ways in which response can be inclusive, and the ways it is currently exclusive. We will be adding to this section throughout the pandemic, and hope that you will contribute resources we might have missed.

TOPICAL PAPER

Topical Paper: COVID-19 and diverse SOGIESC communities

This paper provides a critical analysis of the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people and communities with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). The paper provides an overview of the ways certain aspects of COVID-19 response, such as shelter-in-place orders, have specific impacts on people with diverse SOGIESC. The paper looks at specific areas of concern under the broad umbrellas of livelihoods, health, shelter, information gaps and gaps in data. These five areas are explored using brief case studies. The paper concludes with short, medium and long-term recommendations for humanitarian and development practitioners as well as COVID-19 policy makers.

MORE COVID-19 RESOURCES

Queers and pandemics, past, present, and forever: LGBTQ...

Understanding the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 o...

Sexual and Gender Minorities and COVID-19: Guidance for...

Rapid assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...

Contributors

Celebrating Intersex Awareness Day

This Think Piece by Lana Woolf highlights the importance of critical con...

Education for all: Exploring the imperative for in...

This Think Piece is by Edge Effect intern Anna Wiseman explores the nece...

It’s All About Governance: Making Disaster Risk ...

This Think Piece by Elena Robertson, written in honour of International ...

Previous Features

Real Life Heroes

In honour of World Humanitarian Day, the 42 Degrees Library is celebrating Real Life Heroes this 19 August. People and communities with diverse SOGIESC are often thought of only in their capacity as 'vulnerable persons.'

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

The 42 Degrees Library is celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction this 13th of October. We explore this year's theme, Good Governance, in interviews and a Think Piece.

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Most Popular Resources

Beginner's Guide

We deserve human rights: Interview with Emma Yaaka

Emma Yaaka (he/him) is an LGBTIQ+ advocate who has worked to provide medical services and information to LGBTIQ+ refugees in Kenya and the US....