Chemonics has long aimed to ensure that our development programs attend to the needs of everyone, particularly those who may be the hardest to reach or most underrepresented in the communities we serve. We recognize that the full, equitable participation and representation in development programming, equitable access to resources and opportunities, and advancement of LGBTQI+ rights supports social cohesion and inclusive economic growth for individuals, families, communities, and countries. Chemonics is committed to integrating LGBTQI+ inclusion in our development programming around the world and supporting our global workforce to deliver inclusive development outcomes for the LGBTQI+ community.
Our Philosophy
Our Approach
Chemonics ensures that our activities are consistent with “do no harm” values, keeping stakeholder LGBTQI+ communities safe from unintended consequences. Our approach to LGBTQI+ inclusion employs an intersectional lens, where we localize community-led solutions while safeguarding program participants and strengthening resilience.
Using an Intersectional Lens
LGBTQI+ individuals have diverse and compounding identities with unique barriers and advantages, requiring an intersectional lens that recognizes the lived experiences of social groups within a community. For example, in Vietnam, we surveyed transgender individuals to understand their needs in accessing health care services, elevating LGBTQI+ voices and health concerns in the policymaking process.
Country in Focus: Vietnam
The USAID/Vietnam Governance for Inclusive Growth (GIG; 2013-2019) program supported policy reform on critical legislation to protect the rights of the LGBTQI+ community and integrated gender concerns into several key legal documents. GIG supported local development of the Legal Handbook on the Personal and Property Rights of Vulnerable Groups and provided training for government officials and legal aid providers on equal protections for LGBTQI+ individuals. With GIG support, the Center for Counseling on Laws and Policies on Health and HIV conducted transgender health-needs surveys that were used to draft a new law on transgender rights by the Ministry of Health and which provided a model for how governments can work with civil society organizations (CSOs) to incorporate LGBTQI+ voices in the lawmaking process. These initiatives helped pave the way for the National Assembly in Vietnam to approve a new article in the Civil Code granting transgender individuals access to gender reassignment surgery and the right to change identity documents to accurately reflect their gender identity.
Localizing Development
We recognize that inclusive development must be tailored to local contexts to address social inequities and ensure sustainable programing beyond the life of our projects. Our commitment to localization means that we embrace “leading from behind,” where we center local stakeholders as core partners and agents in development work. Serving as a facilitator and convenor, we support local communities in leading the design, implementation, and monitoring of LGBTQI+-inclusive programming that empowers local actors with resources, grants, and technical assistance to meet community needs while advancing inclusion.
Country in Focus: Colombia
We support existing networks of Colombian LGBTQI+ activists and CSOs in strengthening the accountability of and equity in the country’s judicial system. Past and present programs, including the Justice for a Sustainable Peace Activity (JSP; 2017-2021), USAID’s Human Rights Activity (HRA; 2016-2022), and the USAID Inclusive Justice Activity (2022-2027) have empowered local organizations, activists, and government agencies through grants and partnerships to raise awareness and conduct widespread activities to improve LGBTQI+ rights. JSP and HRA worked through local organizations like Caribe Afirmativo to organize culturally relevant events for Pride, conducted campaigns to raise awareness of the stigmas and human rights violations faced by the transgender community, provide training for public officials, provide mentorship for local organizations, and deliver psychosocial services to support LGBTQI+ survivors of gender-based violence.
Safeguarding
Protecting a person’s right to live safely and free from abuse and neglect is integral to our work. We integrate safeguarding into our programming through a variety of approaches, such as establishing robust policies and systems for protection and reporting, implementing survivor-centered projects, and forging partnerships between local organizations, communities, and individuals to strengthen protection services and increase access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence. In many countries, LGBTQI+ individuals face distinct security challenges and risks due to stigma and discrimination. In line with a “do no harm” approach, programs supporting LGBTQI+ communities must understand the security context and safeguard participants and staff.
Country in Focus: Mexico
In Mexico, the USAID EnfoqueDH project (2015-2021) supported local CSOs in collaborating with government officials to develop the first national database tracking hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community through a National Observatory of Hate Crimes and trained agencies and journalists to appropriately respond to cases of violence to safeguard LGBTQI+ individuals. Data from the National Observatory successfully highlighted the magnitude of these crimes and led to a cross-agency partnership with the General Prosecutor’s Office and the National Council to Prevent Discrimination to train law enforcement and to enhance conduct protocols for cases involving LGBTQI+ persons. Current programs like the USAID Human Rights Accountability Activity (2020-2025) are building on this progress to develop a national protocol for investigating crimes against LGBTQI+ people.
Strengthening Resilience
In many communities, LGBTQI+ individuals are more likely to be underrepresented in decision-making, hold fewer positions of power, and have lower access to resources, opportunities, and benefits. Such circumstances create additional vulnerability for the LGBTQI+ community when facing instability or stressful events and inhibits the ability of LBGTQI+ individuals to mitigate against, adapt to, and recover from shocks. Recognizing the disproportionate effects of shocks on the LGBTQI+ community, we aim to strengthen the socioeconomic and political resilience of LGBTQI+ individuals and allies around the world so that communities can thrive inclusively and equitably.
Country in Focus: Ukraine
In Ukraine, the USAID Democratic Governance East Activity (2018-2023) supports local initiatives to increase visibility for the LGBTQI+ community and strengthen their advocacy capacity to build a resilient community. The activity supported local NGO Insight in establishing the first-ever safe space for LGBTQI+ persons in targeted eastern oblasts, including the LGBTQI+ community center in Kramatorsk. Insight delivered workshops, training, and information sessions for representatives of local organizations, government, and media outlets to address gender equality, existing gender stereotypes, feminism, and inclusion of the LGBTQI+ community. During the outbreak of war, Insight organized online information sessions to share updates on the situation and provide psychological support for LGBTQI+ communities through the activity’s continued support. Their response included the exhibition “I am in Ukraine/I am outside Ukraine” in Odesa, featuring 12 stories of LGBTQI+ people from across Ukraine who are actively engaged in military and volunteer activities in response to the war. With activity support, NGO KyivPride provides dedicated shelters, information sharing, and psychological support for Ukraine’s LGBTQI+ community.
Our People
With the support of these teams, our inclusion specialists strive to deliver mission-driven programming that reflects Chemonics’ corporate commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting staff through our ChemPRIDE Employee Resource Group, and retaining our status as one of the best places for LGBTQI+ workplace equality.