Part I: Sex-based violence against women and girls: new frontiers and emerging issues

Our submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, Reem Alsalem, recently sought input from stakeholders for her forthcoming report, “Forms of sex-based violence against women and girls: new frontiers and emerging issues,” which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in June of 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

We submitted a letter which we believe is crucial to share publicly. Additionally, we provided assistance to Amie Ichikawa whose letter will be published tomorrow.

January 29, 2025 

Dear Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, 

We are writing to you as the Co-Executive Directors of the Courage Coalition, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals who have been profoundly affected by the complexities of gender medicine. We advocate for evidence-based pediatric gender medicine, strongly opposing the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries in children and adolescents. We view these interventions as inherently violent, raising grave concerns about the safety, health, and autonomy of girls subjected to these practices.

Our broader mission is to staunch the erosion of rights based on biological sex and to counteract the fading recognition of same-sex attraction in a world where modern ideologies have now permeated every aspect of society, often elevating identity over material reality. This letter is driven by a deep concern about how consent is understood in the context of violence against women and girls, particularly young lesbians. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our unique perspective, which is rooted in the direct experiences of those most affected.

The added complexity for lesbians in a world where gender identity often supersedes biological reality further complicates issues of consent, autonomy, and the preservation of their unique identity. For young lesbians, these complexities are amplified by societal pressures and medical practices that coerce them into rejecting their same-sex orientation in favor of identifying as “transmen.” Many are led to believe that their gender nonconformity or discomfort with traditional femininity is evidence that they are not truly female. This narrative, pushed by gender ideology, not only undermines their sexual orientation but also promotes irreversible medicalization, which can cause lifelong harm.

This path often leads to sterilization and irreversible surgeries that violate their bodily integrity. The United Nations has consistently recognized coerced sterilization as a violation of fundamental human rights under international law, including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Pressuring young lesbians to undergo such procedures under the guise of gender affirmation constitutes a gross infringement on their autonomy and dignity.

The redefinition of “woman” to include transwomen has had significant, far-reaching implications that touch every aspect of our advocacy. For lesbians, whose material reality is fundamentally about same-sex attraction between biological females, this shift dilutes their visibility and advocacy efforts on a global scale. It suggests that their identity can be subsumed under broader, less specific labels such as “queer” or “transmasculine,” erasing their unique experiences.

This redefinition also challenges the essence of what it means to be a lesbian and complicates the concepts of consent and sexual orientation. There is now a societal expectation that lesbians should be open to relationships with transwomen under the guise of inclusivity, which can dangerously blur the lines of consent. This pressure suggests that rejecting transwomen might be seen as discriminatory, thus challenging personal boundaries and autonomy in ways that were previously unthinkable.

For young lesbians in particular, these pressures are further compounded by medicalization, which has become a modern form of gay conversion therapy. Puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are often prescribed without fully addressing the complexities of same-sex attraction, co-occurring mental health struggles, or underlying conditions such as autism or trauma. These interventions frequently result in lifelong physical and emotional harm, including infertility, loss of sexual function, and profound regret. Many detransitioners are lesbians who were misled into believing that transition was the only way to resolve their struggles with identity or societal acceptance.

In countries like Australia, the UK, Norway, and Canada, we observe troubling patterns where lesbians face significant backlash or legal challenges for attempting to maintain spaces or events exclusive to biological women. In Australia, legal rulings have effectively made it impossible for lesbians to exclude biological men identifying as lesbians from their gatherings, essentially eroding the concept of women-only spaces. In Norway, a lesbian was prosecuted simply for stating her sexual orientation, highlighting a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Meanwhile, in the UK and Canada, the pressure to adopt broader, less specific identities undermines lesbian visibility and advocacy, contributing to their erasure.

The cultural and societal norms advocating for inclusivity can override personal boundaries, significantly altering how consent is interpreted both legally and socially. This shift doesn’t just affect individual autonomy but also impacts the broader understanding of consent within diverse cultural settings. It has led to a situation where the conflation of sex and gender identity dilutes data collection and advocacy efforts specific to lesbians, making it increasingly difficult to address and protect their human rights, especially in consent-related legislation.

It should also be emphasized that international human rights principles demand the safeguarding of bodily autonomy and protection against coerced sterilization or irreversible medical harm. These principles must be upheld to ensure that vulnerable young lesbians are not sacrificed to harmful ideologies under the pretext of gender affirmation.

The Courage Coalition calls for a nuanced approach to consent that respects sexual orientation and ensures no coercion or assumption of consent. Education about consent must be inclusive, teaching respect for same-sex attraction to prevent misinterpretations that could lead to violence or discrimination. Moreover, we propose exploring new legal frameworks that focus not only on consent but also on autonomy, dignity, and the power imbalances that exist. These frameworks must prioritize the protection of lesbian rights without compromising their identity or safety.

We advocate for an international understanding of “woman” as biologically female to uphold the material reality of same-sex attraction and preserve the integrity of lesbian rights. By fostering a global dialogue that acknowledges biological realities while promoting inclusivity without coercion or erasure, we can strive toward a future where the material basis of same-sex attraction is recognized and respected, ensuring that consent is genuinely understood and honored.

The Courage Coalition stands ready to assist in further discussions on this critical issue and to advocate for policies that protect the dignity, safety, and rights of women and girls.

Sincerely,

Jamie Reed

Co- Executive Director, Courage Coalition

Lauren Leggeri 

Co-Executive Director, Courage Coalition