Summer school Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Law 2026

Course information 
The information on this website will be updated from time to time, also to reflect changes in the draft programme.

The five-day summer school on SOGI 2026 in International Law is held each summer in The Hague and Leiden. 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. 

Why this course? 
This summer school offers a unique opportunity to learn from established academics from Leiden University, as well as from world-renowned legal experts from elsewhere, many of whom have been involved in strategic litigation that has helped to achieve international protection and recognition for LGBTQI+ individuals and expressions (most speakers are already mentioned in the draft programme). Leiden University's Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies in The Hague is home to the world's only university chair in Comparative Sexual Orientation Law. 

The summer school provides a platform to network with fellow participants and speakers from all over the world. In each of the previous editions there were participants from at least five continents. And last but not least, this summer school allows you to discover The Hague - the International City of Peace and Justice and the city of Leiden. 

Conference Speakers
The agenda of the programme will be uploaded soon.

Target audience
This summer school is aimed at professionals, academics and law students (who have completed at least three years of their degree) with a background in law. Applicants with a background in other relevant disciplines that are relevant to the theme of the summer school will be considered as well.

To ensure active participation and exchange with teaching staff and fellow participants, a maximum of 40 participants will be admitted to this course.

We welcome participants from all over the world to our international classroom.

Level
Advanced Law, professionals

Remote attendance      
Unfortunately, remote attendance is not available for this conference.

Recommended Hotels
Due to the high demand for hotel rooms during this period, we recommend booking accommodation well in advance.

Do you have any questions?
We will gladly answer them. 

E-mail: events@law.leidenuniv.nl 
Phone: +3171 527 8666