Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in relation to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 2 • There may be 220 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the Asia Pacific region. • Lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the region have many common experiences. In addition, lesbians and bisexual women have distinct experiences, arising from their situation as women that must be taken into account in ensuring respect for their human rights. • Criminal laws targeting lesbian, gay and bisexual people have both direct and indirect effects on their enjoyment of their human rights. Whether enforced or not, they undermine the dignity of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. • Individually and as a group, lesbian, gay and bisexual people are marginalised and often targeted for violence on the basis of their sexual orientation. The State often fails to ensure their safety. • Discrimination based on sexual orientation is evident in all countries. It denies the equality of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. • Lesbian, gay and bisexual human rights defenders are often targeted because of their advocacy. They experience violations of their rights to expression, assembly and association. 44