Gay Rights are Human Rights – Where Does the UN Stand?

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The promotion and protection of universally recognised human rights is one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations’ work. This has been affirmed by the UN member states in carefully negotiated texts, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Millennium Declaration, and the World Summit Outcome in 2005. Among the key principles is the principle that "while cultural, traditional and regional specificities must be borne in mind, states have an obligation to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems", as stated by the UN General Assembly in 1993. They also made it clear that states have a positive obligation to work towards the elimination of harmful traditional or cultural beliefs, values, stereotypes, or practices that are inconsistent with human rights.

Since the 1970s, the UN has held conferences and meetings that allow member nations to debate issues such as women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

Since 2003, The UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva has provided an arena for debate on this issue. Various countries have called for resolutions and statements on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

UN Trans Advocacy Week takes place in Geneva each year, providing a fundamental opportunity to highlight trans-related issues on a global stage, where they have historically been ignored and made invisible.

By having representatives from different cultures meet and share their views, positive change may gradually be achieved. However, the UN's policies are decided by its member states. This limits the organisation's opportunity to take a clear stand on LGTBQ+ rights. Members from all kinds of traditions with all kinds of value systems have influence in the UN.

Despite the lack of agreement on this issue, the UN started the Free & Equal Campaign in 2013. The goal is to increase awareness of sexual, gender, and bodily diversity and greater respect for equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Free and Equal is the UN’s longest-running information campaign. It functions at both a local and a global level, and clearly establishes where the UN system stands on LGBTQ+ issues. It has been working with local organisations, and it provides a platform for the UN organisations to support LGBTQ+ communities in their work.

In 2015, the United Nation General Assembly adopted Agenda 30, which outlined seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide international development for the future. These goals were signed by 193 governments. The foundation was that these goals apply to everyone, everywhere, and will leave no one behind. They do not explicitly call for LGBTQ+ equality. Obviously, equality groups pushed for these rights to be specified, but this was sacrificed to make the goals easier to sign for countries that have criminalised homosexuality.

However, the 'leave no one behind' principle is especially relevant. This recognises that the targets have to be met for everyone, including marginalised groups and vulnerable populations. This applies to LGBTQ+ people who are systematically excluded from society and often not included in national and international development initiatives. Discriminatory laws, negative social attitudes, development projects that don’t include non-traditional families, etc. have led to LGBTQ+ communities experiencing lower income, worse health, less education – all issues that the SDGs are battling. The wording of the goals highlights this principle: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.