VOTE ESTABLISHING A SOGI INDEPENDENT EXPERT “A TURNING POINT”

The decision – says the International 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., Gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves., 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., Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. 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. Association (ILGA) – is the result of the adoption of a resolution on “Protection against violence and discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. based on sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender., and gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth.”, which was presented by seven Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay.

The position of the Independent Expert, likely to be filled at the upcoming September session of the 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., is tasked with bringing focused attention to the issues related to sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. and gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. worldwide, presenting analysis and reports, engaging with States and civil society, and formulating key recommendations to the UN 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..

“We are delighted by this truly defining and game-changing result,” said Renato Sabbadini, Executive Director at ILGA. “This vote finally marks the creation of a dedicated mechanism at the international level to work for the human rights 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., gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves., 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. and transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. people in every region. And, the more these violations will be made visible and addressed, the harder it will be for States not to be held accountable for them.”

The resolution was passed by a vote of 23 in favour, 18 against and 6 abstentions, despite the adoption of seven of the 11 hostile amendments brought by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (without Albania) to dilute the resolution. Although these sought to introduce notions of cultural relativism into the text, the core of the resolution affirming the universal nature of international human rights remains intact.

“This vote is a powerful message asking 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. to redouble efforts to protect the rights of LGBT persons, and it is a message that comes from every corner of the world,” Sabbadini continues. “In addition to the seven States from Latin America, 41 countries from around the world co-sponsored the resolution. Even more impressively, an astonishing 628 NGOs from 151 countries supported the call to adopt the resolution, 70 percent of which are from the regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.  We are grateful to them all: this is a truly global call, and a proof that attitudes are moving away from supporting blatant discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. against LGBT individuals and towards acceptance.”

As a worldwide federation of almost 1,200 organisations ILGA has been working for many years at 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. advocating equal human rights for 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. people. In March, its executive board unanimously voted to support the establishment of a Special Procedure on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – such as the Independent Expert just established – at the UN 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., as well as to continue to work on existing gaps in relation to sexual rights 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. human rights.

ILGA, working in close cooperation with many NGOs from around the world, launched a campaign to get the resolution passed to make this a reality.

“This vote would not have been possible without the tireless work of hundreds of human rights defenders worldwide,” comment Ruth Baldacchino and Helen Kennedy, Co-Secretaries General at ILGA. “And, most importantly, this is a victory not only for the global LGBT community, but for many broader movements that push for the full realization of the human rights of all persons. As social movements, our agendas intersect just as our realities do: we believe that every step that has been taken in the recognition of the rights of a population that has historically been violated and discriminated against has been a breakthrough for all.”

This has already proven to be true in other contexts: “The experience to date both at the UN (in relation to other groups) and at the Organization of American States (in relation to 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. people), demonstrates clearly that a dedicated expert can make a significant difference to advancing human rights protection in relation to a specific group,” Baldacchino and Kennedy declare. “This vote will mark a turning point: even if the struggle towards equality is still far from over, we are a step closer to finally creating a world free of violence and discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. for people on grounds of sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. and gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth..”