LGBTIQ+ people
Everyone deserves equal rights, freedom from violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment, and stigma – including LGBTIQ+ individuals.
The criminalisation of same-sex relationships must end, so must all violence, discrimination and harmful practices against LGBTIQ+ communities.”
Equal rights
Ensuring the full spectrum of human rights and freedoms for all individuals lies at the core of the United Nations' mission. It's crucial for progress in development, peace, security, and humanitarian efforts, aligning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international agreements. All persons have an equal right to live free from violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment and stigma, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons.
In the outcome of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights titled Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, Member States unanimously agreed that “all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated.” The global community should treat human rights “globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis.”
Member States also unanimously agreed that “while the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
The UN System has a long history of working to tackle exclusion, violence, stigma and discrimination against all persons and marginalized groups – including LGBTIQ+ people – in line with existing international law and globally agreed commitments such as Agenda 2030.
UN agencies in 2015 joined forces to condemn violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people. The joint statement urges governments to act and reflects the UN's commitment to supporting progress on these issues.
Highlights of work across the UN System
Human rights
The United Nations Human Rights Office launched the UN Free & Equal campaign in 2013 to promote equality and non-discrimination for LGBTIQ+ people worldwide. The campaign seeks to raise awareness, change attitudes, and encourage actions that foster equality and respect for LGBTIQ+ individuals. The campaign has worked at global level and at national level in 39 countries towards ensuring that LGBTIQ+ people enjoy the same human rights and freedoms as everyone else, without fear of discrimination or violence.
Statement by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, marking IDAHOBIT 2024
Illustration: ©United Nations Free & Equal
Sexual and Reproductive Health
UNFPA believes everyone is entitled to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights and is guided by the 1994 International Conference of Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, adopted by 179 governments, which recognizes that reproductive health includes the right of all people to have a satisfying and safe sex life. Yet we know that members of the LGBTQIA+ community still face serious barriers and disparities in addition to, and as a result of, discrimination and stigma in meeting their unique needs and realizing these rights. In its commitment to leaving no one behind, UNFPA works alongside the community and with other partners toward a world where LGBTQIA+ people are afforded the same rights as others.
Equality in dignity & rights for LGBTQIA+ people
Photo: ©UNFPA Bangladesh/Gaia Paradiso
UN Independent Expert
In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed an Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Expert assesses implementation of international human rights law, identifies good practices, raises awareness, engages in dialogue with all relevant stakeholders and provides advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building to States and other stakeholders. Mr. Graeme Reid was appointed in late 2023.
Photo: ©Sebastian Andrea Wirsching
Sustainable development
UNDP actively promotes inclusive development, prioritizing those left furthest behind. Guided by Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, UNDP supports countries around the world to become increasingly accountable and responsive to all marginalized populations, including LGBTIQ+ people. This contributes to better laws, more responsive public sector services and social norms that benefit everyone, including sexual and gender minorities.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner’s statement for IDAHOBIT 2024
Joint blog from ASG Ulrika Modéer and Christopher Schiltz, Director General, Luxembourg
Photo: ©UNDP/ Dominican Republic
Forced displacement
Many LGBTIQ+ persons face persecution in their country and have no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere. UNHCR works to protect LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people and engages with partners to provide inclusive and safe services, safeguard their rights and identify durable solutions.
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees marking IDAHOBIT 2024
Photo: ©UNHCR/Michal Novotný
Ending AIDS
Gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender persons are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic. UNAIDS works with countries and other stakeholders to remove discriminatory criminal laws and to end stigma, discrimination, gender inequalities and violence faced by LGBT people, as well as to ensure LGBT people are leading in the response to HIV.
UNAIDS, discriminatory criminal laws & LGBTIQ+ people
Photo: ©UNAIDS
Women and girls
UN Women is committed, in the pursuit of gender equality, to promoting the full realization of the human rights and equality of all people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. LGBTIQ+ people’s concerns are integrated in all areas of work, including governance and participation in public life, economic empowerment, ending violence against women, women, peace and security and humanitarian action.
UN Women statement marking IDAHOBIT 2024
Illustration: ©UN Women/United Nations Free & Equal
Migrants
IOM's programming is inclusive of a wide range of migrants, including migrants of diverse gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations and sex characteristics. IOM strives to be inclusive and respectful, and to ensure services are appropriate, accessible and dignified, and has developed a range of tools and materials to advance inclusion and respect for LGBTIQ+ migrants.
Illustration: ©IOM/United Nations Free & Equal
Education for all
UNESCO works towards a world where all learners – including LGBTIQ+ learners – can thrive, are empowered through good quality comprehensive sexuality education and can benefit from safe and inclusive learning environments that are free from all forms of violence, bullying, stigma and discrimination.
Message from the Director-General of UNESCO marking IDAHOBIT 2024
Photo: ©Adobe stock/568786048