Summer School | Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Law: Human Rights and Beyond
This summer school focuses on the emergence of sexual orientation, gender identity (SOGI) and intersex issues in different areas of international law, such as human rights law, refugee law, international economic law, and international criminal law. Details on the application for this edition are available on the ‘Application’ page (see lefthand column). The programme will be similar to the programme of the 2025 edition (see link in the righthand column).
Course information
The information on this website will be updated from time to time, also to reflect changes in the draft programme (see the weblink on the right). Meanwhile, people interested in this field can take a look at the many online video, audio and reading materials listed in the Leiden Overview on SOGIESC in International Law (see the weblink on the left).
The five-day summer school on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Law is held each summer at Leiden University; in 2026 from 29 to 31 July in the Hague and continuing on 3 and 4 August in Leiden. The dates for 2026 have been chosen to allow participants to also take part in the WorldPride Human Rights Conference (5 to 7 August in Amsterdam) and other events of WorldPride, EuroPride and Pride Amsterdam (all from 25 July to 8 August).
The course focuses on the emergence of SOGI and intersex issues in different areas of international law. Participants learn about the history of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in the international sphere, about current developments around the world and about the potential for future progress on equality. While some lectures will focus specifically on sexual orientation, on gender identity/expression, or on sex characteristics (together sometimes called SOGIESC), other sessions will focus on specific regions (including Africa, and Latin America) or on specific topics.
Special attention will be given to important precedent-setting cases that have helped to achieve some international protection against homophobia and transphobia. Themes include: global and regional human rights mechanisms, recognition of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in refugee law, protection for women and LGBTQI+ persons in international criminal law, and the role of international and non-governmental organisations.