Human Dignity Trust

The Human Dignity Trust is a registered charity based in the UK that focuses on strategic litigation to challenge the criminalization of homosexuality worldwide. Founded in 2011 by Jonathan Cooper and Tim Otty QC, the organization aims to defend human rights and constitutional rights in countries where homosexual acts are criminalized[3][4].

• Technical Legal Advice: The Human Dignity Trust provides free technical legal advice to support local activists and their lawyers in challenging laws that criminalize same-sex, consensual sexual acts. This support is provided through a network of 25 of the world's leading law firms and esteemed barristers[2][4].
• Strategic Litigation: The organization supports legal proceedings aimed at achieving the decriminalization of same-sex, consensual sexual acts, preserving the freedom of association for LGBT people, and ensuring that constitutional protections against discrimination also include discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity[4].
• Legislative Reform: The Trust analyzes the need for and options for legislative reforms of a wide range of sexual offenses and related laws that discriminate against LGBT people and other marginalized groups. It provides support for the reform of outdated and discriminatory laws[4].

• Safety and Well-being: Recognizing the high risks associated with challenging the status quo in some countries, the Trust connects local activists and lawyers with international security experts to provide advice and support regarding safety and well-being[4].
• Media Strategies: To debunk myths about LGBT people and promote understanding in the public, the Trust works on media strategies to foster a positive perception and counter public backlash against progressive legal decisions[4].
• Pro Bono Support: Since 2011, the Trust has provided nearly £22 million in pro bono technical legal advice for LGBT activists and their lawyers[1][4].

• Local Partnerships: The Human Dignity Trust works only at the invitation of local organizations and sees itself as a resource that these organizations can use to implement their locally informed strategies. This approach ensures that legal interventions are timely and aligned with broader calls for change[2][4].

The Human Dignity Trust is a shining example of combining legal expertise with local engagement to protect and promote the human rights and dignity of LGBT people worldwide. Through its work, the organization significantly contributes to changing discriminatory laws and creating a more inclusive and just society.

• 1 - https://www.humandignitytrust.org
• 2 - https://www.devex.com/organizations/the-human-dignity-trust-75261
• 3 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Dignity_Trust
• 4 - https://www.humandignitytrust.org/what-we-do/
• 5 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_regId=1158093&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_subId=0