Despite objections by some member nations, the United Nations voted to allow three gay rights groups to work with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association and Denmarks and Germany's gay assocations will work with the governing join the Coalition of Activist Lesbians as global gay voices for the global governing body.

Patricia Pendiville of the European Region's group says:

This is a truly historic decision as now organizations representing and defending rights of LGBT people can address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the United Nations level. This is the best recognition of LGBT rights as human rights that LGBT activists could have received.

We hope this decision marks a fundamental change at the UN level with regards to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Just days ago 54 member states of the UN supported a statement acknowledging these forms of discrimination and calling upon the UN to seriously address them.

While this certainly looks good for the global expansion of gay rights, let's not get too excited until we see some concrete results. They can start by forcing 75 member states to dismantle their anti-gay laws.