Foreword As a signatory to the original Yogyakarta Principles in 2007, I had the privilege of working with a panel of international experts to set out international human rights law as it relates to a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). We had no doubt: SOGIESC rights are human rights. This idea animated the Yogyakarta Principles. Today, it drives the SOGIESC movement. While sexuality diverse communities have had the benefit of rapid gains in social acceptance in Aotearoa New Zealand, the pace of change for those with diverse gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics has been much slower. In keeping with the Human Rights Commission’s statutory role to educate, advocate, and promote respect for human rights in New Zealand, Prism is designed to address this shortcoming. It emphasises the need for an interdisciplinary approach that blends law, policy, social work and community-led initiatives to enable the full enjoyment of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, regardless of a person’s SOGIESC. Significant change can be brought about through public policy, law reform, access to justice and administrative actions. With many international examples of good practice to benefit from, I urge the New Zealand government to work with local SOGIESC-diverse communities, organisations, individuals and the Human Rights Commission to address these issues in a principled and evidencebased way. Prism must be read in the context of the work undertaken by SOGIESC-diverse communities over decades to advance their human rights. I applaud their brave and tireless work. I also applaud and profusely thank Taine Polkinghorne who wrote Prism. He was assisted by many other Human Rights Commission staff, including Katja Rangsivek, Bart English, Hannah Northover, Tuiloma Lina Samu, Hemi and Paula Pirihi, Jess Ngatai, Jac Lynch, Rebekah Armstrong, Margaret MacDonald and Kerri Kruse. My deep thanks to them all. Nō reira aku mihi ki te hapori uenuku, e takatū nei, hei painga mō te hapori me ō koutou whānau katoa hoki. Kia kaha kia māia kia manawanui i ēnei wā o te taumahatanga [So I greet the rainbow community, who progress positive outcomes for their community and all of their families. Be strong, resolute and steady in these troubling times]. Ma le fa’aaloalo lava [Respectfully yours/Yours sincerely] Paul Hunt Chief Human Rights Commissioner 3