New Push To Get LGBT Rights On UN Agenda

New Push To Get LGBT Rights On UN Agenda
by Malcolm Thornberry, 365Gay.com European Bureau Chief
March 20, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET

(Geneva) The International Lesbian and Gay Association this year will make a renewed attempt to get the United Nations to recognize LGBT civil rights.

The Brussels-based International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA will hold its World Conference next week - coinciding with the meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission.

ILGA spokesperson Stephen Barris said Monday that the UN body should be embarrassed that it has consistently ignored the plight of gays, lesbians and transgendered in dozens of countries around the world.

"How long can lesbian and gay rights be ignored at the UN," he asked.

The 53-nation Commission is unlikely to take up the issue, however, a spokesperson for the UN said. The Commission's plenary session is expected to last only a few days and the agenda has been set.

The UN Commission on Human Rights has failed on two occasions to add sexuality to the list of categories protected by the world body. (story)

The proposal had been put forward by Brazil and supported by Canada and most of the European Union states. Brazil dropped the motion when it became clear the Vatican and Arab countries led by Egypt would not let it pass.

The Vatican and the 56 member nations of the Islamic Conference also fought Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan to give the partners of some gay and lesbian UN workers the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual employees. (story)

Most recently, in January, a second UN body also rejected LGBT participation.

The United States joined with three of the world's most repressive regimes - Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon - to reject an application by two international LGBT groups seeking to join a UN agency that advises the world body on economics and social issues. (story)

The application by the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians was dismissed without a hearing.

The State Department later said the US voted against hearing the application out of concerns about potential support for pedophilia. (story)