HRC session 62- ILGA World’s engagement (June – July 2026)

On this page, you can 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.

Read our introductory article about the session: With our global LGBTI communities at the 62nd UN Human Rights Council

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

We thanked the Independent Expert for exposing the structures that enable violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, and queer women to continue.
“Family, community, and religious actors invoke tradition to justify violence. We recognise these same institutions hold power to drive change,” we said. “We must protect individuals from harm, and transform environments that produce it.”

Follow this link to read the statement, delivered by GIN SSOGIE and co-sponsored by ILGA World, amongst others, 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.

Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety.

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women

During this dialogue, we highlighted how women face discriminatory stereotypes for virtually every decision they make around reproduction.

“Defining women exclusively in their role as ‘mothers’ strips them of their full, diverse identities and humanity, reduces women to their reproductive role, and reinforces the patriarchal gender stereotypes that drive violence and discrimination against women and girls,” we said. “Rather than simply ‘valuing mothers’ more,  State policies should aim to more equitably distribute and value care and support work, including through affordable childcare, equitable parental leave policies, engaging men and boys to take up their fair share of unpaid care and household work, and addressing the root causes of gender stereotypes.”

“If we truly want to support mothers,” we concluded, “we need to support women and girls, as well as trans men and gender diverse people who experience pregnancy and childbirth in the fullness of their humanity.”

Follow this link to read the statement in its entirety, and watch the video.

This statement was delivered by the Centre for Reproductive Rights on behalf of CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, GATE, Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, Global Justice Center, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, ILGA World, Just Future Collaboratives, MenEngage Global Alliance, and Woodhull Freedom Foundation

 

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

 

Panel discussion on women and girls in sports

Sport has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and empower women and girls in all their diversity. But today, access to sports continues to be marked by profound inequalities — which increasingly affect trans women, intersex persons, and gender-diverse persons too, fuelled by restrictive policies.

During this dialogue, we reiterated that States and sporting bodies should see inclusion as “an opportunity to strengthen the values of equality, respect, and dignity that sports represent.”

Follow this link to read the statement — delivered by GIN SSOGIE and co-sponsored by ILGA World, on behalf of the Trans Advocacy Week cohort — and watch the video

All women and girls deserve the right to participate in sport free from abuse, violence, and discrimination, while ensuring respect for their health, safety, and dignity.

Yet, many women and girls continue to face barriers to equal participation: sexual abuse, discrimination, and exclusion in sport reflect systemic failures that undermine safety and inclusion.

Instead of fixing these systemic issues, reactionary actors have turned sports into a battleground for attacks on bodily autonomy, culminating in the recent International Olympic Committee decision to reintroduce mandatory and invasive ‘sex testing’ for women athletes.

During this panel discussion, we called for “inclusive and human rights-based approaches that foreground the positive role that sports play in society and ensure that all women and girls, including trans, gender-diverse, and intersex people, can participate safely, fairly, and with dignity.”

Follow this link to read the statement — delivered by IPPF and co-sponsored by ILGA World, on behalf of the Trans Advocacy Week — and watch the video

 

End of session

During the final session of the 62nd Human Rights Council, we joined civil society organisations to share reflections on key outcomes and highlight gaps in addressing crucial issues and situations.

We pointed out how the liquidity crisis and budget cuts represent a major challenge for the Council to fully deliver on mandates agreed by Member States. We welcomed the adoption of several resolution, including the first one to ever explicitly mention reproductive violence. And we marked historic moments for our communities, including the first report exclusively dedicated to lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, and the closing of the mandate of Special Rapporteur on Health Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng — whom we thanked for her tireless dedication and rigorous, independent advocacy.

Follow this link to read the statement in full, and watch the video

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, 18 June 2026
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: Friday, 19 June 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time

 

Nepal

During the adoption of Nepal’s Universal Periodic Review outcomes, civil society recognised the Government’s efforts to integrate their rights into policies, programmes, development planning, and legal reform.

However, Nepal only noted key recommendations on comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, prohibition of conversion therapy, citizenship based on self-determination, and marriage equality.

“Full implementation of these recommendations,” noted civil society organisations, “would strengthen Nepal’s regional leadership and help ensure that legal recognition translates into practical protection, dignity and equality for affected communities.”

The statement during the adoption of UPR outcomes of Nepal was delivered by ILGA World in consultation with Blue Diamond Society and the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities Nepal.

Follow this link to read the statement in full, and watch this video

Australia

In Australia, religious educational institutions and service providers are still legally permitted to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, leaving community members without equal protection — including around one third of school students. Intersex children continue to lack adequate protection from non-consensual and medically unnecessary interventions in most jurisdictions. Harmful conversion practices also remain lawful in three Australian states and territories.

During the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Australia, we pointed out how noting the recommendations relating specifically to LGBTIQ+ persons risks leaving persistent protection gaps unaddressed.

The statement was delivered by ILGA World and made in consultation with Equality Australia.

Follow this link to read the statement in full, and watch this video

Georgia

Despite having accepted 21 recommendations related to LGBTI people, since its last Universal Periodic Review the government of Georgia chose to adopt laws and policies that restrict LGBTI expression and assemblies, ban civil partnerships, prohibit legal gender recognition, impose criminal penalties related to gender-affirming healthcare, and censor LGBTI-related content in education and public life.

Five years later, Georgia noted every recommendation it received on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics issues.

During the adoption of the country’s UPR outcomes, we urged Georgia to reconsider these recommendations and repeal discriminatory anti-LGBTI legislation.

The statement was delivered by ILGA World in consultation with WISG, Equality Movement and Tbilisi Pride.

Follow this link to read the statement in full, and watch this video