“What has the UN ever done for us?” It may not be as blunt as that, but at OutRight International, we get this question all the time. LGBTIQ people want to know what the world’s only truly universal international organization is doing for their lives and safety.
The United Nations’ profound and beautiful promise that “all people are born free and equal” and that “no one shall be left behind” should apply to all people, including LGBTIQ people.
The sad reality is that LGBTIQ people are not in fact free or equal, and have always been marginalized, whether by design or by accident. LGBTIQ activists around the world work tirelessly to change laws, policies and societal attitudes in their homes and communities in more than 193 countries around the world.
These are underpinned by the UN’s global framework of laws and standards: you are included, you matter, you are valuable. Even if your country has let you down, you can point to the UN and say we all agree that things should be better.
LGBTIQ people have not been explicitly included in the framework of international society. It took decades of activism for the UN to assert that we, too, deserve respect and protection simply for who we are and who we love. Now powerful forces are trying to turn back the clock and break the promise of inclusion for which we fought so hard.
We need to maintain and deepen the inclusiveness of international standards that hold governments to account, and we need to constantly remind the United Nations of the realities that LGBTIQ people face around the world.
One way OutRight International does this is by inviting LGBTIQ activists to the United Nations Headquarters each year for a week of intensive meetings with different parts of the UN and government representatives from around the world who are based here to help set global standards.
This year, 24 activists from around the world gathered in New York for Advocacy Week: five transgender activists, three intersex activists, four from the Middle East and North Africa, six activists working on lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women’s issues, seven from African countries where aggressive anti-LGBTIQ laws have been passed, three from countries where civil society is severely repressed, and 17 from countries that criminalize us.
The week was full of passionate discussions, inspiring storytelling and strategic planning. Meeting with activists from diverse backgrounds highlighted the global nature of the fight for LGBTIQ rights. Each story of LGBTIQ people highlighted the universal quest for dignity and equality. The importance of this week cannot be overstated – it’s a true ray of hope and a testament to our shared commitment to advancing LGBTIQ rights around the world.
The emotional impact of this past week was enormous. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to hear activists share their personal and shared experiences of discrimination, violence, and resilience. These stories are a testament to the human spirit’s ability to withstand and fight oppression. They remind us that behind the statistics are real people whose lives are impacted by our collective actions.
Several key themes emerged during the week. One particularly prominent discussion was the shrinking space for LGBTIQ advocacy. Activists in countries affected by anti-human rights groups’ public policies shared harrowing stories of how restrictive laws, violent attacks, and state discrimination affect the LGBTIQ community. These stories highlighted the urgent need for international solidarity and strong advocacy to strengthen legal protections.
Another key theme was the role of the United Nations in addressing human rights issues. Activists emphasized the importance of UN bodies recognizing and affirming the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression or gender characteristics. By engaging directly with national delegations, activists were able to directly advocate for inclusive policies and increased protections at the international level.
This year, activists representing the transgender community in the Philippines and the broader LGBTIQ+ community in the Bahamas participated in a panel discussion with OutRight Executive Director Maria Sjodin. The discussion focused on this year’s IDAHOBIT theme, “Leave No One Behind: Equality, Liberty and Justice for All.” Panelists spoke about the unique experiences of LBQ and transgender women and the impact of criminalization laws on the social acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people in the former British colony.
During the meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder and UN Under-Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilse Brands-Kelis, the activists were able to directly discuss and share the LGBTIQ+ community’s experiences of human rights violations and the threats to the mobility of human rights defenders and their movements. Ryder stressed the importance of taking into account the broader context of conflicts that are affected by backlash against human and civil rights. As reflected in the message to IDAHOBIT, the Under-Secretary-General asserted that the UN remains deeply committed to protecting LGBTIQ people from discrimination. Ryder also noted that a Future Agreement that takes gender and human rights into account is expected to be adopted at the UN Future Summit in September.
Activists’ voices were at the heart of the advocacy week. We were particularly moved by the story of a transgender woman from the Philippines who described the double struggle of facing both legal discrimination and social prejudice, both as a transgender woman and as a movement leader. Her courage in sharing her story was a powerful reminder of the personal stake in our fight for equality. Similarly, intersex activists highlighted the medical abuses intersex people face, including unnecessary surgeries and lack of basic healthcare. These testimonies are not just stories of struggle, but a call to action, encouraging us all to continue fighting for a world in which everyone can live freely and safely.
The current global climate surrounding LGBTIQ people poses many challenges. At least 65 countries still have national laws that criminalize same-sex relations between consenting adults, and 13 countries criminalize transgender identity and expression. Anti-gender and anti-human rights sentiment is on the rise in many parts of the world. These harsh realities highlight the importance of continued advocacy and learning about how we can make an impact on LGBTIQ rights. Advocacy Week provided an important platform to discuss strategies to address these issues.
We sought ways to strengthen international alliances, leverage diplomatic channels, and use cooperative strategies to get our message across.
Individuals and communities can take several actionable steps to support LGBTIQ rights and contribute to positive change: Get involved in politics by advocating for inclusive policies, educating and raising awareness, supporting LGBTIQ organizations, standing up against discrimination, and voting for and supporting political candidates who champion LGBTIQ rights.
The path ahead requires persistent and united action to ensure that the rights of all individuals are recognized and protected. The work of organizations like OutRight International, and the commitment of LGBTIQ activists around the world, are crucial in driving this change and fostering a world where equality, freedom and justice leave no one behind.
Reflecting on the accomplishments of Advocacy Week, it’s clear that the fight for LGBTIQ rights requires persistent and united action. We encourage our readers to support LGBTIQ organizations, join advocacy efforts, and stand in solidarity with the global community. Your voice can make a huge difference in ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity.
At OutRight International, we address and highlight these issues. OutRight International is a founding member and current Secretariat of the UN LGBTI Core Group. This informal group is made up of 42 Member States, the EU Delegation, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and OutRight International. The Core Group is committed to advancing the rights of LGBTIQ people through its multilateral advocacy work within the UN.
Thiruna Naidoo is the Africa Program Officer for Outright International based in Pretoria, South Africa. They support the Outright Africa team in developing advocacy efforts for Outright’s regional African programs, with a particular focus on scaling the South African program. Previously, she worked in non-profit organizations as a Program Officer, Litigation Coordinator and Collaborative Project Manager.
Andre du Plessis is the United Nations Programme Director at OutRight. Prior to becoming an independent consultant on LGBTIQ human rights, Andre was Executive Director of ILGA World from 2017 to 2021. Born in Zambia, Andre is of South African, Swiss and British descent and grew up in the UK and India before studying law at Cambridge University and London University College London. He moved to the US in 2023 to live with his husband and currently lives in New York. In his spare time, Andre enjoys hiking, cycling, trail running, reading and cooking.
