A moment of opportunity and responsibility. By Kevin Blanchard.

Recognition for Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSM) at the UNDRR Global Platform 2025.

In recent years, there has been increasing focus on the experiences of gender and sexual minorities within disaster risk reduction (DRR). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other non-cis gender and non-heterosexual communities (LGBTQIA+), who are often rendered invisible in planning and response, are now beginning to take up space within formal institutions, global dialogues, and scholarly debates. It marks a shift that is both long overdue and vital to building more inclusive and effective risk governance.

One of the clearest signs of institutional recognition is the establishment of the LGBTQIA+ Constituent Group within the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism. This group provides a formal space for LGBTQIA+ organisations and individuals to contribute to DRR policy processes within the UN. Its inclusion helps ensure that global frameworks reflect a broader spectrum of lived experiences. More importantly, it signals that gender and sexual diversity is not a peripheral concern but a central part of risk governance.

The momentum is not confined to policy. Practice-based spaces are also evolving. The first international conference dedicated entirely to the discussion of Gender and Sexual Minorities in DRR, held in June 2025, brought together community organisers, academics, frontline responders, and international agencies. The agenda covered a wide range of topics, from inclusive shelter provision to data collection ethics. This convergence of actors marked a turning point. It showed that LGBTQIA+ inclusion is no longer just an advocacy demand, but a recognised component of effective risk management. These forums create opportunities to share strategies, build solidarity, and push institutions to move from tokenism to transformation.

This shift is also being reflected in academic work. The recently launched volume Queering Disasters, Climate Change and Humanitarian Crises brings together researchers and practitioners exploring how disasters are shaped by, and respond to, diverse sexual and gender identities. This work follows the development of a comprehensive reference guide exploring the current status of research in the topic by the UCL Centre for Gender and Disaster. By offering both theoretical and case-based insights, these academic pursuits strengthen the evidence base that policy actors can draw upon.

There is much to celebrate. Representation is improving, research is expanding, and LGBTQIA+ voices are being heard in previously inaccessible spaces. These gains are creating real opportunities to reshape how risk is assessed and how support is provided. They are helping to ensure that no one is left behind in crisis response and recovery.

At the same time, the progress remains precarious. There are still significant gaps in data, protection, and funding. In many contexts, LGBTQIA+ communities continue to face criminalisation, stigma, and exclusion. Even where gains have been made, they are vulnerable to shifts in political will, donor priorities, or public sentiment. Without continued investment and vigilance, the space that has been opened could close again.

For policy makers and practitioners, the task now is to build on what has been started. Continued support for the LGBTQIA+ SEM Constituency Group within UNDRR is essential. Inclusive approaches must be integrated into national and local risk assessments, not treated as a separate issue. Funding should be directed toward community-led initiatives and longitudinal research. Training and awareness must be expanded across institutions to build inclusive capacity.

The increased visibility now being afforded to gender and sexual minorities in DRR is something to be welcomed. But it is also something that must be protected. Progress should be celebrated but never assumed to be permanent. This is a moment of opportunity, but also of responsibility.

Kevin Blanchard is an experienced policymaker, trainer, and advocate focused on ensuring the inclusion, visibility, and empowerment of marginalised and hyper-marginalised groups in disaster risk reduction (DRR). He is also the co-convenor of the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism constituent group for gender and sexual minority communities.