About us

ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – is a worldwide federation of more than 2,300 organisations from over 170 countries and territories. Together, we ensure that all people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics can exercise their human rights.

A just world

We want a world that truly respects everyone, where all individuals can exercise their human rights and live in equality and freedom. We demand and create a world where justice and equity are a reality for everyone — including people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics.

Our role

Through our ECOSOC status at the United Nations, we bring LGBTI people and expertise to shape international human rights law and policies that activists transform into change for communities on the ground.

We produce research on laws, attitudes, and economic realities affecting LGBTI people worldwide. This is information that activists use to challenge injustice and that global rights forums, governments, and courts rely on to build a fairer world.

We connect human rights defenders and civil society organisations through regional networks, global conferences, and cross-movement action. ILGA World is a positive energy that carries everyone forward.

  • Vision

    A world where people can live in equality and freedom, that respects their human rights, and where justice and equity are for everyone — including persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.

  • Mission

    We are a global leading organisation and voice for the rights of people who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

    We work towards their equality, freedom and justice through advocacy, collaborative action, and education towards institutions, governments, media, and civil society.

    We support civil society organisations ensuring that everyone can exercise their human rights, and we facilitate cooperation and solidarity among ILGA’s regions and members.

    Above all, we promote the diversity and strengths of people of diverse SOGIESC worldwide.

  • Values

    Solidarity and collaboration. The breadth of our movement. Accountability. Social justice. Human rights. Feminist and queer liberation.

AN ILGA HISTORY

August 1978. Coventry, United Kingdom. Representatives of organisations from ten countries and territories gathered at a fringe meeting of the annual conference of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality: the (then-named) IGA was born. Many legal, political and social changes that have happened for rainbow communities in the past 50 years seemed unthinkable back then. We have been there ever since. This is the ILGA history.

Photo: the IGA foundation document distributed at the Bergen conference in 1979. Photo courtesy of the Bishopsgate Institute ILGA & ILIS Collection.

The historical framework detailing the period from 1978 to 2007 is grounded in research by David Paternotte, Alex Cosials Apellaniz, and David Tong. The timeline also incorporates key amendments and updates from the years 2005 to 2012, contributed by Nigel Warner and Stephen Barris, and from 2012 onward by Daniele Paletta.

Read extensive research on the history of ILGA World between 1978 and 2012, and learn more about ILGA World and the ECOSOC status controversy.

1978
Foundation of the International Gay Association (IGA)

Activists from ten countries and territories unite to “maximise the effectiveness of gay organisations” by coordinating global political action and to establish an information centre. Delegates agree not to decide on using the word “lesbian” in the organisation’s name until women are involved.

1979
First IGA conference

65 activists from 17 countries establish gender parity as the goal to work towards, decide to open dialogue with liberation groups in Global Majority countries, and designate 28 June — the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising — as “International Gay Solidarity Day.”

1980
The birth of ILIS

Conference delegates establish the women’s secretariat — the International Lesbian Information Service (ILIS), which would become autonomous in 1981 — and rename the organisation as International Association of Gay Women and Men.

1981
The first international human rights victory

The European Court of Human Rights rules that the criminalisation of same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults is a violation of human rights. Both plaintiff Jeff Dudgeon and lawyer Peter Ashman had been instrumental in the founding of the IGA.

1982
Branching out to the Americas

The annual IGA world conference arrives in Washington, D.C., United States, where delegates set up a support agency for those imprisoned on the grounds of their sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Latin American delegates establish an Information Pool in Suriname.

1984
The International Year of Lesbian and Gay Action

IGA proclaims a whole year “for lesbians and gays to get together – to learn, exchange ideas, to communicate, to unite, to fight, to play, to love: to increase our visibility and determination toward our goal of liberation.” On 30 September, more than 1,000 lesbian, gay, and bisexual folks march on the United Nations in New York to demand an end to violence.

1985
The first official research publication

The IGA launches its first Pink Book: this “global view of lesbian and gay oppression and liberation” marks the start of our decades-long work mapping laws and attitudes affecting our communities worldwide.

1986
IGA becomes ILGA

At the world conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, delegates finally include the word “lesbian” in the organisation’s name: we are now The International Lesbian and Gay Association. Earlier this year, groups from Asia hold their first regional conference in Japan.

1988
Campaigning around the United Nations intensifies

ILGA establishes an international committee to submit an application for consultative status at the United Nations, while it rejects the “Calls for further work on sexual minorities” UN report because of clichés and factual inaccuracies about homosexuality. Meanwhile, we join in to celebrate the first World AIDS Day.

1989
Remembering history past and present

South African anti-apartheid, gay rights, and AIDS activist Simon Nkoli is released from detention and addresses the ILGA World Conference, thanking everyone for the letters of support. In a visit to the extermination camp of Mauthausen, delegates pay tribute to the victims of Nazism who fell victim to laws against same-sex conduct and to regulations punishing women deemed “asocial”. Meanwhile, Denmark becomes the first country in the world to recognise same-sex partnerships.

1990
A landmark triumph at the World Health Organisation

After years of campaigning, activists succeed: the World Health Organisation removes homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. It will take almost 30 more years to also remove “gender identity disorder” from the same list.

1991
A year of firsts

Our co-Secretary General Lisa Power raises homosexuality at the ECOSOC NGO Committee: she is the first out person to do so at the United Nations in New York. Latin America holds its first ILGA regional conference. After years of campaigning, ILGA and other organisations convince Amnesty International to accept lesbians and gay men imprisoned for their sexuality as “prisoners of conscience”.

1992
“I believe I am the first homosexual to speak openly at the United Nations”

Prof. Douglas Sanders, on behalf of ILGA and in the name of Human Rights Advocate, raises our communities’ voices in the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities: it is the first time in a UN human rights forum.

1993-1994
ECOSOC status granted…

In July 1993, ILGA finally obtains consultative ECOSOC status at the United Nations, allowing our communities worldwide to speak in international human rights forums on their behalf.

1993-1994
... and suspended

Conservative politicians in the United States begin attacking the organisation about three groups in its membership advocating the abolition of the age of consent. ILGA immediately expels such groups, who had joined at a time when the organisation didn’t have procedures to scrutinise membership applications, and reiterates having adopted a resolution in 1990 about the protection of children from exploitation and abuse. Yet, ILGA still sees its consultative ECOSOC status suspended in September 1994. It would only gain it back in 2011.

1995
From Beijing to Rio de Janeiro

Our co-Secretary General Rebeca Sevilla takes the floor at the NGO Forum during the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. Meanwhile, our World Conference reaches Latin America for the first time: on the occasion, Brazil sees its first-ever Pride march.

1996
Welcome to ILGA-Europe !

Four years after starting processes to create ILGA regional structures and committees, the first ILGA region is born: ILGA-Europe establishes itself in Belgium and begins its operations with 24 ideas for European Commission-led initiatives towards equality. It will take until 2024 to see each one of the current six ILGA regions set up, staffed, and formally registered.

1997
A knight out in Brussels

The British actor Sir Ian McKellen donates his services to perform a one-man show, “A Knight Out in Brussels,” as a fundraiser for ILGA. It is a huge success.

1998
Twenty years already?

ILGA celebrates its twentieth birthday during the Gay Games in Amsterdam with a reception offered by the Amsterdam City Council, and marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a manifesto: “Gay and lesbian rights are human rights!”

1999
The first Celebrate Bisexuality Day

The ILGA World Conference reaches Africa for the first time: held in Johannesburg, the event also marks the first time that activists celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day on a global scale. At the conference, the International Trade Union launches its first guidelines for LGBT workers.

2000
ILGA at the first WorldPride

Over 250,000 persons gather in Rome, Italy for the first-ever WorldPride. ILGA celebrates its World Conference during this watershed moment with hundreds of delegates from 30 countries.

2003
The Brazilian resolution

Brazil presents a resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights connecting human rights and sexual orientation, triggering a sustained campaign by ILGA and its allies to recognise LGBT people’s rights at the UN. During its World Conference in Manila, ILGA delegates vow to campaign to also include gender identity in future resolutions.

2005
The first International Day against Homophobia

The world celebrates its first International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO), following an initiative by activist Louis-Georges Tin on the basis of previous days against homophobia in Canada. Since then, more than 5,000 events in 155 countries have happened every year on 17 May. Since 2023, ILGA World has coordinated the IDAHOBIT advisory group and hosts its secretariat.

2006
The first Trans secretariat, lesbian and bisexual women to the forefront

ILGA strengthens its focus on women, with groundbreaking publications on lesbian and bisexual women’s health. Meanwhile, during the World Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, delegates decide to create the organisation’s first Trans secretariat.

2008
A new name

We turn 30, and we have a new name: to equally include all people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, we become ILGA - The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

2009-2010
Developing ILGA regions and a global network

ILGA begins a regional development project, increasing its outreach towards new and existing members and hiring communications officers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, to further connect our global movement, it builds an online directory of thousands of LGBTI and allied organisations.

2011
Regaining ECOSOC status, organising with intersex people

After 17 years and multiple campaigns, the ECOSOC regrants ILGA its consultative status, restoring a fundamental opportunity for LGBTI communities globally to advocate their rights at the United Nations. In September, together with ILGA-Europe, we organise the first International Intersex Forum, convening 24 activists from all continents.

2012
One thousand members worldwide!

The ILGA membership continues to grow and hits the one thousand organisations mark: a true testament to the global diversity of the LGBTI spectrum and movements.

2014
From Brussels to Geneva

As its work increasingly focuses on liaising with international human rights mechanisms, ILGA moves its global secretariat from Brussels, Belgium to Geneva, Switzerland, to further enhance its advocacy at the United Nations.

2015
The "State-Sponsored Homophobia" report turns 10

The landmark "State-Sponsored Homophobia," the ILGA report mapping laws that affect people worldwide on the grounds of their sexual orientation, reaches its tenth edition. Presenting the publication at the United Nations, authors note a decisive trend towards decriminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual acts since the report was first published.

2016
The UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Following a campaign by 628 NGOs from 151 countries, including many ILGA members, the Human Rights Council creates the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity — the only mandate within the United Nations specifically focusing on eliminating violence and discrimination against LGBT and gender-diverse persons.

2019
In Oceania, at last

We hold our first World Conference in Oceania. For the first time, we hold pre-conferences dedicated to LGBTI people with disabilities and LGBTI Indigenous peoples. Our membership passes a resolution calling for the decriminalisation of sex work. And, finally, our name evolves again into ILGA World: a small yet fundamental change to point out that our organisation is made by, and working for, our communities from all over the globe.

2019
Opening a dialogue with the Vatican

ILGA leadership opens a dialogue with Roman Catholic Church representatives during a historic meeting in the Vatican City, calling them to take action in the face of violence, discrimination, and criminalisation against LGBTI people.

2020
The Covid-19 pandemic hits

As the world comes to a grinding halt caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we support our global chosen family with a global campaign, offering wellbeing and practical resources, stories of LGBTI organisations at the frontlines of providing support, a series of advocacy webinars, and a postcard initiative to raise the spirits of our LGBTI communities.

2023
A revolution in our research

Accessing data about LGBTI populations has always been difficult. Building on four decades of research experience, we launch the ILGA World Database: a free, interactive, and collaborative knowledge hub compiling laws, news, and references to human rights bodies and United Nations advocacy opportunities related to LGBTI people worldwide.

2024
A home for the Equal Rights Coalition

States choose ILGA World to host the Secretariat of the Equal Rights Coalition, an intergovernmental body of 42 States and civil society worldwide dedicated to the protection of the human rights of LGBTI persons and the promotion of inclusive development.

2026
Ten years of Trans Advocacy Week

For the tenth consecutive year, we collaborate with partners to strengthen the advocacy of trans and gender-diverse activists. Since 2017, we've supported over 60 human rights defenders in Geneva as they engaged with the United Nations during Trans Advocacy Week.

Our people

  • Board

    Human rights defenders elected by our membership to represent our global community

  • Steering Committees

    Activists appointed or elected from every region of the world to support our work for bisexual, intersex, trans, women, and youth communities

  • Staff

    Dedicated professionals working across Geneva and globally to serve our membership and LGBTI communities

Discover our people

Latest news

A woman sits at a table with a MacBook. On her screen is the homepage of the new ILGA World website
  • Explainers
  • Press releases & statements

Daniele Paletta | • 2 minutes

Start here: your guide to the new ilga.org

We welcome you to the new ILGA World website: built for every reader, with clear insight into what we do, and with information at hand. Discover what has changed!

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An image with faded colours in the background and a drawing of a heart. Text reads: Everyone should be free from discrimination in accessing healthcare", and shows the logos of six partner organisations
  • Press releases & statements

17 October 2026

Beyond depathologisation: Securing the right to health for trans communities

It has been 7 years since the World Health Organization depathologised trans identities in the International Classification of Diseases - 11th edition, yet trans and gender diverse communities still face higher levels of discrimination in healthcare

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A woman with long dark hair on a stage. Behind her, projected text reads "Kimberly Frost, Co-Secretary General, ILGA World"
  • Events
  • Press releases & statements

12 October 2026

ILGA-Europe conference 2026: When we rise, we rise for all of us

In October 2026, hundreds of LGBTI human rights defenders from across Europe and Central Asia gathered in Dublin, Ireland for the annual ILGA-Europe conference, under the theme "Resist and rise."

Read the transcript of the rousing speech that our co-Secretary General Kimberly Frost delivered during the closing plenary

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