In his latest post on the IDS Participation, Power and Social Change blog, IDS's Stephen Wood calls for countries like the US and UK to match their resolve to progress LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights with new financial resources to support the strengthening of grassroots and social movements commited to sexual and human rights.

Stephen Wood's blog was sparked by the speech made US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, this week in Geneva to mark Human Rights Day. Focussing on a commitment to foster equality and combat discrimination, Hillary Clinton stated clearly that, 'Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights'.

In his blog post, Stephen Wood, who is a member of the IDS Sexuality and Development Programme, refected on the rapidly worsening situation for LGBT people across many parts of the globe. But he also higlighted the more positive signs coming from the global south, 'Local social movements have championed legal and policy changes successfully in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal for both LGBT and third gendered people'.

Read Stephen Wood's full blog

Photo: Panos / GMB Akash