HRC session 62- ILGA World’s engagement (June – July 2026)
HRC session 62 – ILGA World’s engagement
On this page, you will find information about the work of ILGA World during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, and about how the human rights of LGBTI people worldwide were addressed during the session.
The page will be regularly updated as the session unfolds
Read our introductory article about the session: With our global LGBTI communities at the 62nd UN Human Rights Council
Statements
Interactive dialogue with the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity
With this statement, delivered in consultation with both LBQ and Trans Advocacy week cohorts, ILGA World welcomed the historic report by the Independent Expert on SOGI addressing the violence and discrimination facing lesbian, bisexual, and queer women.
As we pointed out, “LBQ women are often rendered invisible within both women’s rights frameworks and LGBTI frameworks, leaving our lives, families and contributions to the care economy unrecognised.”
We also addressed the situation of our communities in Colombia where, despite an advanced legal framework, constitutional promises and the everyday lives of LGBTI people, particularly in rural territories affected by conflict, remain two different realities.
Finally, with this statement we honoured the memory of Pamela, Rosanna and Andrea, three lesbians who were murdered in Argentina in May 2024, and of so many others across the world.
Read the statement in its entirety in English or in Spanish, and watch the video
In a statement delivered by Asia Pacific Transgender Network on behalf of trans, gender-diverse, and LBQ activists from the Global South and East, and co-sponsored by ILGA World amongst others, we highlighted how violence against lesbian, bisexual, and queer women is rooted both in stigma and in patriarchal systemic oppression, and urged member States to include all trans masculine, feminine and non-binary people in violence documentation and protection frameworks.
“As trans and non-binary people, we face many of these intersectional patterns,” we said. “While trans feminine people are often denied women-centred protections, trans masculine and non-binary communities are often excluded because we are not or do not self-identify as women, and excluded from trans protection mechanisms because our experiences are less visible.”
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
We also commended the Independent Expert for recognising the distinct forms of violence faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, and pointed out to the “severe damage that digital violence has imposed on our bodies and mental health.”
In this statement by RFSL — and co-sponsored by ILGA World amongst others — on behalf of the trans and LBQ week advocacy activists, we also invited the Independent Expert to further examine how gender identity and sexual orientation intersect in the realities of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women, as well as non-binary and trans masculine persons.
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
We also commended this groundbreaking report for capturing the complexity of lesbian, bisexual, and queer lives. “The term ‘LBQ’ establishes common ground. We use this opportunity to stand in solidarity with our trans siblings and in alliance with feminist movements to ensure gender equality is a lived reality.”
In a statement by Outright International co-drafted by LBQ advocacy week participants, and co-sponsored by ILGA World amongst others, we also called on member States to address what keeps LBQ women trapped: economic dependency, unsafe homes, family control, and laws that do not recognise their lives. “States must take responsibility for their duty of protection of ALL women’s autonomy and enjoyment of all of their human rights.”
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
Finally, we highlighted how lesbian, bisexual, and queer women who are trans exist at the sharp intersection of misogyny, transphobia, and queerphobia — and yet, a rising global tide of hostile, anti-gender, exclusionary rhetoric seeks to weaponise feminist spaces to erase trans women from the LBQ movement. “True liberation requires intersectionality,” we said in a joint statement by Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) co-sponsored by APTN, ILGA World, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, and AWID.
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education
During this interactive dialogue, we urged States to adopt rights-based curricula and pedagogy that explicitly include trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people, supported by age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, anti-bullying protocols, gender-affirming administrative practices and mandatory teacher training.
The statement was delivered by RFSL, and co-sponsored by ILGA World — in coordination with Trans Advocacy Week partners.
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Digital technologies are plain a central role in the rise of anti-trans, anti-democratic, anti-gender sentiment worldwide. With this statement — delivered for COC Nederland by an activist who was part of the Trans Advocacy Week cohort, and co-sponsored by ILGA World amongst others — we highlighted how technology must be regulated to protect our freedom of expression and end gender based violence, and that our rights are inseparable from protecting democracy.
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health
In this statement — delivered on behalf of Women Deliver, Trans Advocacy Week, and 37 feminist organisations — we reiterated that human dignity and equity are fundamental components of the right to health, and highlighted how criminalisation, stigma, and discrimination are recurring barriers for people to exercise their rights.
We also commend the Special Rapporteur for her principled and courageous tenure of the mandate: “Her rights-based, intersectional, and decolonial analysis has consistently championed sexual and reproductive health and rights, grounded in bodily autonomy, and she has set unequivocal standards in calling for the decriminalisation of abortion, sex work, and an inclusive definition of gender-based violence.”
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
With this statement delivered by Center for Reproductive Rights — and co-sponsored by ILGA World, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, Amnesty International, and in consultation with the LBQ advocacy week — we reiterated how the criminalisation of abortion, same-sex relations, nd HIV-related conduct deters care-seeking, deepens stigma, and entrenches exclusion and violence against marginalised groups, including lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women.
Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video
Side events
Democratic backsliding: Through attacks on freedoms of expression, association and assembly.
This event, coordinated by the co-organisers of Trans Advocacy Week 2026, will expose how anti-gender movements threaten all our freedoms, reaffirm States’ obligations to protect freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly without discrimination, and strengthen alliances across movements working to defend civic space and democratic institutions.
Location: Room IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Event language(s): English
Date: Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Central European Summer Time
Addressing severe forms of discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women: from invisibility to accountability
Join ILGA World, RFSL and Outright International, with the support of UN Women and Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, as we spotlight severe forms of discrimination faced by LBQ women globally, examine their root causes and material consequences, and identify concrete pathways for stronger protection, accountability, and inclusion within UN and national frameworks.
Location: Room IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Event language(s): English
Date: FriTime: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time
