ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, development actors have directed their attention to the lives of people who are marginalized based on their sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions and/or sex characteristics, often under the rubric of “LGBTI” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) issues. “Global LGBTI human rights” have emerged as a subject of development, with agencies, coalitions, and experts dedicated to their realization. In this chapter the academic literature and current programming on LGBTI international development is introduced, as well as some of the ethical concerns that arise. I trace and critique the widespread and at times uncritical adoption of LGBTI and similar constructions in development efforts, as well as the framing of LGBTI issues in “global” or “universal” terms; I examine how development actors are faced with the choice between more or less visible ways of taking up LGBTI issues, and some perils of seeking visibility for the sake of visibility. The conclusion bridges existing ethical principles and LGBTI development.
