Cape Town Declaration

The following declaration was signed at the Global Equality Summit 2024 by attending legislators representing every world region, five years after the establishment of the Global Equality Caucus. It promotes our commitment to advocate for laws that advance the rights of LGBT+ people everywhere and reaffirms the founding principles as laid out in the New York Declaration.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF PEOPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, GATHERED AT THE INAUGURAL GLOBAL EQUALITY SUMMIT, HEREBY REAFFIRM:

(A) Our conviction that all humans have an inalienable right to live in equal dignity and freedom, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity;

(B) Our commitment to advocate for policies and promote laws that protect people against violence and discrimination, and secure equality for all.

WE THEREFORE PLEDGE TO USE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE VOICES TO:

(A) End violence and repression of people on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity;

(B) Repeal laws that criminalise people on the basis of consensual relations and personal identity;

(C) Eliminate stigma associated with HIV and ensure fair and equitable access to healthcare;

(D) Promote policies that enshrine anti-discrimination measures in law;

(E) Introduce and adopt laws to protect people from harmful conversion practices aimed at suppressing or changing their sexual orientation or gender identity;

(F) Work with fellow legislators, civil society leaders, community champions, businesses and other stakeholders to secure these ends.

CAPE TOWN, NOVEMBER 2024