2012 Global Equality Leadership Award Event Photos

We would like to thank everyone who attended the award ceremony and reception for Ambassador Susan E. Rice, especially our gracious hosts. For those of you who were not able make it, you can view some photos from the event.

Ambassador Rice’s remarks, at the event, were not only moving, they were humorous, determined, and and most of all genuine. So glad that the LGBT community has an ally with her principles and drive. Stay tuned for a short video of the award ceremony.

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All photos by Noah Devereaux

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LGBT Rights Upheld in Historic Inter-American Court Ruling

Karen Atala

“Based on both American regional standards and international jurisprudence, the Court has ruled that LGBT people must live free from discrimination, whether as parents or in any other aspect of their lives.”
-Jessica Stern, Director of Programs IGLHRC

(New York, March 22, 2012) — On Tuesday, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights condemned the Government of Chile for its 2003 Supreme Court ruling which stripped Karen Atala, a lesbian mother and judge, of custody of her three daughters on the basis of her sexual orientation. The 2003 ruling determined that if her daughters remained in her custody, they would be in a “situation of risk” due to their “unique family.” This is the first time the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has ever heard a case specifically regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Court’s landmark ruling found that Chile not only violated Atala’s right to equality and non-discrimination but affirms for the first time in its history that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected categories and such discrimination violates international law. It represents a historic victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Chile and around the world.

Dignity For All: Reactions from LGBT and Human Rights Organizations

Repost from The Office of Public Engagement

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton articulated the first-ever U.S. Government strategy to direct all federal agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.

These actions represent a continuation of the Obama Administration’s commitment to safety, justice, and equality for LGBT people everywhere. President Obama expressed this commitment earlier this year at the United Nations General Assembly, when he said “No country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.” And since January 2009, Secretary Clinton has strongly and consistently championed a comprehensive human rights agenda — one that specifically includes the protection of LGBT people.

NYC Vigil to Remember David Kato

When: February 3, 2011 4:00 pm
Where: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (E 47th street and Second ave). Vigil will be followed by a procession to Uganda House 336 East 45th Street.

Who: The keynote speech will be delivered by Val Kalende, Board Chair of Freedom and Roam Uganda, an LBT organization in Uganda.

Recently added speakers include:
Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council

Additional speakers include:
* Cary Alan Johnson (International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission)
* Reverend Kapya Kaoma (Public Research Associates)
* Amanda Lugg (African Services Committee)
* Kagendo Murungi (Wapinduzi Productions)
* Pastor Joseph Tolton (Global Justice Initiative)
* Dr. Cheikh Traore
* Invited guests include United States and New York City government officials.
* Speaker list in formation.

On Thursday, February 3rd, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and other concerned organizations* will hold a peaceful vigil near the Ugandan Mission to the United Nations in New York City to remember the life of David Kato, Ugandan LGBT human rights defender, murdered on January 26 in his home. View the facebook event page.

The vigil will honor his struggle for human rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or g ender identity. Join us in mourning David and showing the Ugandan government that there must be no more violence and discrimination against LGBT Ugandans.

Co-sponsors include:

ACT UP/New York

African Services Committee

American Jewish World Service

Amnesty International

amfAR

The Foundation for AIDS Research

ARC International

Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

Center for Constitutional Rights

Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies

Center for Women’s Global Leadership

Council for Global Equality

Freedom and Roam Uganda

Gay By God

The Gay Men’s Health Crisis

Global Forum on MSM & HIV

Global Justice Ministry

Health Global Access Project (GAP)

House Of Rainbow Fellowship

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Immigration Equality

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center

LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch

National Black Justice Coalition

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

The New York City Anti-Violence Project 
None on Record

Political Research Associates

The Queer African Youth Networking Center

Queers for Economic Justice

Sexual Minorities Uganda

Stonewall Community Foundation

St. Paul’s Foundation For International Reconciliation

Wapinduzi Productions

Remarks by Ambassador Rosemary A. DiCarlo, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during an Economic and Social Council Debate on the Accreditation of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Rosemary A. DiCarlo
Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations

New York, NY

July 19, 2010

---

AS DELIVERED

Mr. President, for over 20 years, the IGLHRC has been a respected human rights organization dedicated to combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. While it is registered in the United States, it also has offices in Argentina, South Africa, and the Philippines. By promoting the implementation of human rights treaties, it already has made a significant contribution to supporting the UN Charter and the work of this Council. It assists non-governmental organizations to prepare and submit documentation to the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special procedures, and UN treaty bodies.

The IGLHRC has also been a leader in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Its work has been praised by both UNAIDS and UNDP. Allow me to quote from a July 16^th message from UNDP to the IGLHRC expressing appreciation for their ongoing cooperation: “Your attention to the links between human rights and HIV has opened up conversations, communication and cooperation in communities that are key to achieving crucial public health, human rights and development goals.” UNDP further expresses the hope that the IGLHRC will work with the recently established Global Commission on HIV and the Law to “ mobilize communities across the globe to promote public dialogue on how to make the law work for an effective response to HIV, in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals, especially MDG 6.”

In Resolution 1996/31, this Council put forth a set of principles to be applied in the establishment of consultative relations with non-governmental organizations. Let me cite the first three.

The first principle requires that: “The organization shall be concerned with matters falling within the competence of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies.” The IGLHRC easily meets this standard.

The second principle states: “The aims and purposes of the organization shall be in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.” The IGLHRC clearly satisfies this standard. In fact, the advancement of the Charter lies at the core of its mission.

United Nations Grants Official Status to U.S.-based International LGBT Rights Group

repost from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)

A victory against homophobic silencing of civil society

07/19/2010

For Immediate Release

Press Contacts:

Sara Perle, New York: +1 212-430-6015, sperle@iglhrc.org (English/Italian)
Jessica Stern, New York: +1 212-430-6014, jstern@iglhrc.org (English)
Cary Alan Johnson, Vienna: + 1 347-515-0330, cjohnson@iglhrc.org (English/French)
Marcelo Ferreyra, Buenos Aires: +54 11-4665-7527, mferreyra@iglhrc.org (Spanish/English)

(July 19, 2001) On July 19, 2010, the full United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted in favor of a US-led resolution to grant the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) consultative status. IGLHRC is only the tenth organization working primarily for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights to gain such status at the United Nations.

“Today’s decision is an affirmation that the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community,” said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director. “The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The resolution passed with 23 in favor, 13 against, and 13 abstentions and 5 absences.

This victory is particularly significant, coming as it does after a prolonged 3-year application process in the sub-committee that makes initial recommendations on status. Despite full compliance with all procedures IGLHRC faced deferrals, homophobic questioning, and procedural roadblocks in the ECOSOC NGO Committee.

Today’s decision overturned a “no-action” vote in the NGO-committee that threatened to establish a dangerous precedent and the possibility of organizations deemed controversial being continuously denied the opportunity to have their application put to a vote even after undergoing the required review.

The vote also signals a recognition of the important role of a diverse and active civil society at the UN. In support of progress on IGLHRC’s application, a group of over 200 NGOs from 59 countries endorsed a letter to all UN Member States, demanding fair and non-discriminatory treatment and supporting IGLHRC’s goal of amplifying LGBT voices in the international arena.