Where Love Is Illegal

70 countries around the world have laws criminalizing the existence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. That’s 70 countries where people who love each other must do so in secret, where people must hide their true selves. While the laws of each country vary, they all restrict the right to freedom of expression of people’s sexual orientation and gender identity. Punishments include fines, imprisonment, torture and, in some instances, death.

Discrimination is not limited to these countries alone. Violence and prejudice based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics is rampant worldwide. In some areas it is getting worse. Media outlets often tell us about laws, crimes and atrocities, but rarely making space for those living through these abuses. When they are given a chance to speak, their voices are controlled by that same media which fails to represent or attempt to understand their experience.

This campaign aims to change that. Where Love is Illegal is a platform allowing for the sharing of LGBTQI+ stories of discrimination and survival, unmanipulated and uncensored. Those who participate choose how to present themselves so that they might have a say in how they are seen, and write their own stories so they can control how they are heard. In doing so, we are supporting LGBTQI+ people in taking back control of the narrative of their lives.

Witness Change has traveled the world documenting these stories, but the campaign is not limited to those we can physically reach. Hundreds of LGBTQI+ identifying people around the world send their image and story, creating a truly global project.

Our actions extend beyond storytelling. Through our networks of followers, not-for-profits and media outlets we have reached hundreds of millions of people and supported the grassroots advocacy of LGBTQI+ organizations in the countries we have operated.