1. Sara L.M. Davis, Ph.D. Global Philanthropy Project 19 July, 2016
Impact of closing space for civil society on LGBT groups in Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Kenya, and Hungary
Sara L.M. Davis, Ph.D.
Global Philanthropy Project
19 July, 2016

2. Perfect storm: Closing civil society space for LGBT NGOs
How has closing civic space impacted on LGBT groups?
Closing civic space for all civil society
“LGBT propaganda” laws
Resurgent nationalism: LGBT = “foreign values”
Scapegoating by politicians, media
Increased risk for LGBT groups

3. Methodology
Four countries: trends in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia
Desk review
19 phone interviews:
LGBT activists, UN officials, lawyers
Further research needed

4. Kyrgyzstan Closing civil society space
Russia-inspired “foreign agents” bill: 1 reading
“LGBT propaganda” bill: 2 readings
3 readings needed to enact law
Firebombing, nationalist attacks on Labrys
Police sympathetic to attackers
Bilateral, multilateral donor withdrawal

5. Indonesia Vibrant civil society sector: 119 LGBT groups
Waves of homophobic rhetoric from senior officials in early 2016
“Threat to national security”
VP tells UNDP to stop funding LGBT groups
Discussion of need to “block registration”
LGBT meeting cancelled by national security agency

6. Kenya Restrictions on civil society
Deregistration of NGOs
Public Benefit Organizations Act in limbo: proposed 15% cap on foreign funding
LGBT groups: litigation, strategic visibility, dialogue
Won two lawsuits on right to register LGBT groups
Persuading homophobic religious leaders to change rhetoric

7. Hungary Right-wing nationalist party, closing civic space
Changes to constitution: abolished same-sex marriage
Targeted foreign funding
All NGOs must re-apply for legal status
Financial inspections of NGOs, volunteer names
LGBT groups: range of tactics to survive
Some complied with inspections, some refused
All refused to turn over volunteer names
Coalition with broader civil society

8. Recommendations Support LGBT NGOs during crises
Support alliances: Include LGBT NGOs in wider strategies to resist closing civil society space.
Support organizations monitoring restrictions on freedom of association and expression to also monitor laws and policies targeting LGBT groups
Support grantees to attend regional and international gatherings: “safe space” for strategizing.
Recognize that resurgent nationalism may be an indicator of looming efforts to close space for civil society, including LGBT groups.
Identify low-key, quiet strategies to fund LGBT groups in restricted spaces.
Reduce complicated grant applications and reporting procedures during a crisis.
Utilize flexible funding mechanisms: enable groups to cover operational costs.
Fund capacity-building, including policy advocacy skills.
Use international development or health aid conditionality carefully, on a country-by-country basis and in consultation with local activists.
Stay connected to your grantees. Your empathy and support are greatly appreciated when grantees are under pressure.

9. FULLY FUND THE GLOBAL FUND