With our global LGBTI communities at the 61st UN Human Rights Council
- The 61st session of the United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. More Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. More will take place from 23 February to 31 March 2026
- ILGA World will be present in the space, amplifying the voices of our global LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. More communities
- Our work will focus especially on LGBTI people living with a disability and on LGBTI people in Afghanistan, as well as the Universal Periodic Review and a resolution about protecting children in situations of armed conflicts
The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council begins today in Geneva.
ILGA World will be there for our LGBTI communities worldwide: our voice is in the room, and we will bring you along! This is what we will focus on.
LGBTI people living with disabilities
After States removed mentions to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression from a recent resolution at the UN General Assemblythe main deliberative and policy-making organ of the United Nations which makes decisions on international issues such as development and peace and security. All 193 member States are represented, and each has one vote. More, choosing to leave millions vulnerable by design, we will take the floor at the Human Rights Council to reiterate it, loud and clear:all people with disabilities, including those among them who are LGBTI, deserve equal participation in political life, from realities on the ground up to the United Nations.
Everyone deserves to access spaces designed with inclusion in mind – from transport, to housing, to civil society and multilateral infrastructures.
LGBTI people in Afghanistan
Last year, the International Criminal Court recognised that LGBTI people in Afghanistan are facing an “unprecedented, unconscionable and ongoing” persecution by the Taliban.
During this Human Rights Council session, we will raise our communities’ voices, highlighting especially the situation of lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More, bisexualadjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of other genders. More, transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More, and intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. More women, and call on States to keep exerting pressure on the Taliban regime to end their genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. More apartheid.
Universal Periodic Review, and the resolution to protect children in situations of armed conflict
As countries undergo their Universal Periodic Review, ILGA World will help our communities hold them accountable for protecting LGBTI people exercising their rights. We will also observe States discussing a resolution to protect children in situations of armed conflict.
How can you get involved?
Throughout the Human Rights Council, ILGA World will be there for and with you, amplifying the voices of our global chosen family.
Follow our website and social media pages for real-time updates, watch the sessions live via UN Web TV, and engage with our advocacy team to learn more about what opportunities are available for you to raise your voice at the United Nations.
Together, we can turn diplomatic dialogue into decisive change!
