Locations“We will not rest until the rights of all are a reality, no matter who they are or whom they love.” — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Creating Space for Equal Rights on IDAHOBIT 2025
May 27, 2025
On IDAHOBIT 2025, the LGBTI+ flag flies high at the "Cubico", a home of pride and resilience, as communities in Angola claim space, safety and dignity.
PNUD Angola
Each year, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) reminds us that equality is far from achieved and that visibility matters.
In Angola, as in many countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people continue to face discrimination, violence and social exclusion. Yet, across the country, civil society, community-based organizations and informal networks are stepping up, creating safer spaces and advocating for change. This year’s IDAHOBIT, under the theme “The Power of Communities,” was commemorated at one such space: O Cubico.
O Cubico is more than a shelter – it is a place of solidarity and resilience. Operated by Arquivo de Identidade Angolano (AIA), the centre offers protection and empowerment to LGBTI+ individuals who are often excluded from families, services and society.
Anna Liboma, I Am Trans Movement
PNUD Angola
It plays a vital role in hosting advocacy activities and meetings for diverse groups, including LGBTI+ people, key populations at risk of HIV and people living with HIV.
O Cubico is an inclusive and welcoming space for many LGBTI+ individuals who have no place to go or anyone to talk to, according to Anna Liboma, from the Eu Sou Trans (I Am Trans) movement. A proud trans woman and resident of the shelter, she describes it as not just a home, but a strong support structure for the community.
O Cubico’s work is being strengthened by UNDP, which is providing a community grant through its #WeBelongAfrica programme to help sustain and expand the shelter’s services. The #WeBelongAfrica programme, supported by the governments of Sweden and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is designed to support state entities in sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable and responsive to, and inclusive of, LGBTI+ people and young key populations, which in turn will contribute to better laws, more responsive public sector services and social norms that affirm these populations’ perspectives, needs and rights.
“This community space is vital. It promotes economic empowerment while also protecting LGBTI+ people who have suffered violence or been expelled from their homes. It provides safety, training and support to help citizens participate fully in social and political life.”Líria de Castro, AIA Director
While community responses have played a leading role in advancing inclusion, lasting change depends on strong legal frameworks and institutional action. In Angola, UNDP is supporting national efforts to revise the Law against Domestic Violence (Law 25/11), with specific consultations with LGBTI+ people, key populations and women living with HIV. UNDP is also assisting national partners in reviewing the HIV Law (Law 08/04) to promote a rights-based approach and ensure alignment with international commitments and best practices, particularly in addressing the ongoing challenge of the excessive criminalization of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure.
Angola has made significant progress in recent years. In 2021, the country’s new Penal Code officially decriminalized consensual same-sex relations and included provisions to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation – a landmark reform. The National Human Rights Strategy also explicitly protects LGBTI+ people, and government ministries, such as the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women's Promotion and the Ministry of Health, have launched initiatives to reduce stigma and promote inclusive services.
Still, for many LGBTI+ Angolans, the gap between legal frameworks and lived experiences remains wide – reminding us that reform must be implemented, not just adopted.
During the IDAHOBIT event, international partners echoed their commitment.
“We are committed to working together for a world with greater opportunities for all,” said Tsjeard Hoekstra, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. “A world where equality, dignity and rights are not just words but a reality lived by everyone.”
Bjørnar Dahl Hotvedt, Ambassador of Norway, highlighted the urgency of the moment. “This is a day of solidarity and a day to stand up for the human rights of the LGBTI+ community.”
National leadership, international solidarity and consistent policy support are all essential to building a future where no one is left behind. As AIA and its partners continue to create space for safety, expression and growth, the message is clear: Protect what has been achieved and do more to ensure equality becomes a lived reality for all.
Being yourself should never be a risk. And no one should have to fight alone.
AIA Director Líria de Castro during the visit to Cubico with Tsjeard Hoekstra, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Gabriel Dava, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Angola and Bjørnar Dahl Hotvedt, Ambassador of Norway (from left to right).
PNUD Angola