fbpx Skip to main content

By Alex Farrow, CEO, Kaleidoscope Trust

As the new CEO of Kaleidoscope Trust, I find myself stepping into a role at a critical juncture for the global movement toward LGBTI+ equality. The world feels more interconnected than ever, and yet many of our communities remain isolated, marginalised, and, in too many cases, criminalised simply for who they are and who they love. One of the most powerful spaces where this dynamic of connectedness and disparity plays out is the Commonwealth—home to 2.5 billion people, 56 member states, and a legacy of shared history that includes both progress and pain.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held every two years, is a forum where leaders from these diverse nations come together to discuss key political, social, and economic issues.

For Kaleidoscope Trust and the global LGBTI+ community, CHOGM presents a unique and essential opportunity. It is a platform where we, as an organisation, can engage with world leaders and advocate for the rights of LGBTI+ people across the Commonwealth. It’s not just about being heard—it’s about holding governments accountable, fostering genuine change, and amplifying the voices of those who too often are silenced.

As we head into CHOGM 2024, I am filled with a sense of both urgency and optimism. Urgency, because the lives of millions of LGBTI+ people across the Commonwealth are at stake. Optimism, because I know that change is possible.

Why CHOGM is Crucial for LGBTI+ Rights Advocacy

LGBTI+ rights in the Commonwealth remain precarious. In 29 of the 56 Commonwealth member states, same-sex sexual activity is still criminalised. This means that millions of LGBTI+ people continue to live under the threat of legal persecution, violence, and exclusion. Despite this grim reality, the Commonwealth also represents a space of immense potential—where progress is not only possible but achievable.

CHOGM offers a rare opportunity for high-level dialogue. It is a space where human rights, including the rights of LGBTI+ individuals, can be discussed in the context of broader global issues like economic development, climate change, and peacebuilding. These intersections are vital.

As we know, LGBTI+ individuals are disproportionately affected by crises such as climate change, poverty, and health inequality, and if LGBTI+ rights are left off the agenda, these issues cannot be effectively addressed.

At Kaleidoscope Trust, we view CHOGM as an opportunity not only to advocate for decriminalisation but also to push for deeper, systemic changes that ensure the protection and promotion of LGBTI+ rights. This includes fostering inclusive policies, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and addressing the economic disparities that affect LGBTI+ individuals. The 2024 CHOGM, to be held in Samoa, is particularly significant, as it will highlight themes like climate change mitigation and economic resilience—issues that are deeply relevant to marginalised communities, including LGBTI+ people.

Our Role and Why We Participate

Our participation at CHOGM is not just symbolic; it’s strategic. We are attending as a member of The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) delegation to ensure that LGBTI+ voices are represented at the highest levels of international decision-making. As an organisation that has long championed the rights of LGBTI+ people in the Commonwealth, we believe it is critical to engage directly with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders at these pivotal moments.

The CHOGM Shadow Report we produced in partnership with TCEN as well as our very own Policy Manifesto are key tools in this effort. These documents provide evidence-based insights and policy recommendations designed to influence Commonwealth leaders and policymakers. The Shadow Report exposes the realities of LGBTI+ life across the Commonwealth, highlighting both the progress and the persistent challenges. It shines a light on the lived experiences of LGBTI+ individuals who face discrimination and violence, but also on the activists and movements that are driving change at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, our Policy Manifesto outlines clear, actionable recommendations for the UK government. These include the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships, the implementation of anti-discrimination laws, and the inclusion of LGBTI+ issues in policies related to health, education, and economic development. The manifesto is a roadmap for how our own government can take concrete steps to ensure equality and justice for all their citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.

A Call for Accountability and Progress

At CHOGM, we call upon leaders to recommit to the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, which obligates member states to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. LGBTI+ rights are human rights, and it is crucial that Commonwealth governments align their policies and laws with this fundamental truth.

While the challenges are significant, the Commonwealth also presents a unique opportunity for collaboration and progress. CHOGM is a space where countries can learn from one another, share best practices, and work together to tackle the common challenges they face. In recent years, we have seen promising developments in some Commonwealth countries. Nations like Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago have decriminalised same-sex relationships, signalling that change is not only possible—it is happening.

But there is still much work to be done. For too long, LGBTI+ issues have been sidelined, seen as secondary to the “bigger” issues on the table. This is a false dichotomy. We cannot address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change without addressing the needs and rights of LGBTI+ people.

The time for half-measures is over. We need bold, sustained action, and CHOGM is the platform where these commitments can—and must—be made.

Supporting Our Work

As we approach CHOGM 2024, I encourage all of our partners, supporters, and allies to engage with us in this critical moment.

The advocacy we do at CHOGM can have a lasting impact on the lives of millions of LGBTI+ individuals across the Commonwealth. But we cannot do it alone.
We need the support of governments, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that LGBTI+ rights are front and centre in the discussions that shape the future of the Commonwealth.

I would like to offer a special shout-out to our CHOGM Shadow Report and Policy Manifesto, which will be vital tools in our advocacy at the summit. These documents represent the collective wisdom and experience of activists, researchers, and policymakers who are deeply committed to advancing LGBTI+ rights. They provide the evidence, the stories, and the solutions that Commonwealth leaders need to act upon. I urge everyone to read and share these resources, as they will be crucial in holding governments accountable and driving real, meaningful progress.

Kaleidoscope Trust will continue to advocate, to push, and to fight for a world where LGBTI+ people are free to live their lives without fear, discrimination, or violence. CHOGM is a crucial part of this journey, and I look forward to what we can achieve together.

Alex Farrow is the CEO of Kaleidoscope Trust, a leading UK-based charity that works to uphold the human rights of LGBTI+ people across the Commonwealth.