A newsletter on livelihoods and economic empowerment – i.e. the means to safely attain the necessities of life. Geared toward the global LGBTQ+ movement to inspire new frontiers of advocacy: let’s make economic development work for us. A cache for all things queer, development-focused, and in search of the good life.
In this 2nd edition: more on livelihoods & development, Ukraine, Kenya and Argentina, development banks, calls for data, Backstage Capital, and more.
Why Livelihoods and Development - continued
The 1st edition briefly spoke to LGBTQ+ livelihoods and economic empowerment, in order to jumpstart the development sector to become more accessible and accountable. Let’s hone in: what is meant by these terms?
Generally, livelihoods describe the means to safely attain the necessities of life. Economic empowerment means an equality of opportunity for people to participate in and benefit from the formal economy. Although our global movement does not have a clear definition of LGBTQ+ livelihoods and economic empowerment, we’re working toward one in order to operationalize it via funding and other advocacy. By comparison, the Yogyakarta Principles did similar via a human rights framework, not by articulating “special” rights but rather explaining the UN Universal Declaration as applicable to all and regardless of SOGIESC – thus allowing it to be mainstreamed through human rights mechanisms. (In some ways, the livelihoods and economic empowerment agenda is like a car taking us toward a desired destination).
The economic development sector is a series of intermixing institutions, governments, and organizations with the general purpose to grow the economy for the benefit of all. This includes global institutions like the development banks and UNDP, bilateral aid agencies like USAID, and governmental ministries and national processes. It represents upwards of hundreds of billions of dollars, yet has historically not focused on LGBTQ+ people and concerns. (Following our simile, this sector is like the road in which our car can or cannot drive on - what are the roadblocks?).
I’ll send regular updates on this nexus, including: (I) examples from civil society, (II) development sector entry points, (III) research, and (IV) podcasts.
A Development focus on Ukraine
As Putin’s horrific war rages on, the development community has rallied to provide financing to Ukraine & neighbors to resettle refugees: the World Bank mobilized $723 million in financing and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a €2 billion package.
Its now important for these development institutions to follow their own commitments to promote inclusion in programs, and ensure that vulnerable people are not negatively impacted or excluded. By their own standards, this comprises LGBTQ+ people – see here for the World Bank and here for the EBRD – as well as women & girls, people living with disabilities, and more. The need to do so is tremendous: here are impactful reads on LGBTQ+ Ukrainians as well as people of color and refugees who live with disabilities.
I. Shining examples from civil society
Jobs for refugees. In a refugee camp in Kenya, ORAM & partners support a soap-making business run by LGBTQ+ refugees, “Kakuma Cleans”. In a hard context, a rise in income helps secure their wellbeing - showing the powerful impact of jobs on livelihoods for those experiencing multiple vulnerabilities.
Schooling. In Argentina, the Mocha Celis Trans High School works with trans people and others who face tough challenges in school. It empowers students to break the cycle of discrimination, violence & poverty by giving the means to succeed and buffer against exclusion – showing that livelihoods depend greatly on education & the human capital it brings throughout life.
II. Development sector entry points
AfDB Safeguards. Many of the development banks are now updating their safeguards frameworks (see my 1st ed). As the African Development Bank (AfDB) does so, this is the perfect opportunity for African civil society voices to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion, with support from the Board of Directors. In fact, this would build on current entry points that already include sexual orientation (Vol. 1 and 2) – although this now does not include gender identity or sex characteristics. Building on this can create a more robust LGBTQ+ framework to advance real inclusion.
EBRD: a bit lacking. Since LGBTQ+ issues are already included in the EBRD’s “equality of opportunity” strategy – I’ve scoured its site but haven’t found that much. (Just a few studies on LGB earnings). This is an ideal opportunity for civil society and governments to expect the EBRD to develop analytics & programs on this agenda, particularly in response to Putin’s cultivation of homophobia & transphobia. By its own 2021-2025 strategy, the EBRD should work with its many corporate clients to bolster the LGBTQ+ “business case”.
Special Envoys. Argentina announced the appointment of Special Representative, Alba Rueda, to promote LGBTQ+ issues abroad, joining the US, Canada, UK, Italy & Germany. In addition to their political support, these govs also represent combined dominant shareholder status in the World Bank, the IDB and EBRD, and weighty shares in the AfDB and ADB. I welcome these important envoys to understand this development nexus and their government’s ability to expand development financing to LGBTQ+ people.
III. Analytical corner
Courts. The UK’s Privy Council just ruled against equal marriage in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, even overturning Bermuda’s unanimous judiciary that supported equal marriage. Colours Caribbean shows the decision’s affront to human dignity, and in Counsel, Dr. Leonardo Raznovich shows how the British colonial legal structures that first spread anti-LGBTQ laws are unfortunately alive and well.
Calls for data. The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine just published an extensive report calling on the National Institute of Health and others to use better measures of SOGIESC to improve data on LGBTQ+ and intersex people – establishing best-practice standards.
Economic Case. Data from the IZA Inst. of Labor Economics in Serbia, Turkey & Ukraine finds an impact on society after learning the economic cost of sexual orientation exclusion: they were 1.5x more likely to support equal opportunities for LGB people - giving more credence to the “economic case”.
IV. Dynamic podcasts
Jumping back to 2018 is the exceptional 6-part series on Arlan Hamilton by StartUp, covering the conception and growth of her trailblazing company, Backstage Capital. This company is a venture capitalist that invests in founders who are women, people of color, or LGBT – as she says, the “underestimated” – showing the strong financial returns when investing in those ignored by the status quo. The series covers how she raised funds in Silicon Valley (a mini universe that engorges itself on its own economic & social privilege) in order to invest in diverse business owners.
That’s all for now - plz leave questions or ideas for me to address next time!