United Nations Goes Gay!
Ever multicultural, the United Nations just got a little more lavender. The international body’s Economic and Social Council voted this weekend to accredit two gay organizations.
The Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec and the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) have both been granted consultative status, which means they can put forth official proposals, attend meetings, offer oral arguments and take advantage of the United Nations’ righteous open bar.
Oh, and fight for international gay rights, too…
RFSL president Sören Juvas celebrated the win, which comes one year after the UN rebuffed two other gay organizations and in the face of intense anti-gay lobbying. Juvas told the press:
The work that was necessary to reach [UN inclusion] has shown the need for a clear voice in favor of LGBT persons’ rights in the United Nations.
…
RFSL now has the possibility to, together with others, affect and improve the situation for the world’s LGBT persons.We will do everything we can to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities, rights and obligations, regardless of sexual orientation, gender affiliation or expression of gender.
And then peace shall reign supreme! Well, except for religious, national and other assorted conflicts…
For the record, 22 countries voted to include both the Canadian and Swedish groups. Thirteen opposed the Canucks, while fourteen voted against the Swedes. Guess we know who’s more popular, huh?
This is great. I was part of a delegation that met with United Nations officials and GLBT staff back in the mid-90s to advocate for this kind of official recognition. For decades the Catholic and Muslim countries blocked these efforts. This is a huge breakthrough for international rights.
[...] LGBT organizations shows the need for a continued battle.” To be fair, however, the UN previously voted to include groups from Canada and Sweden, so maybe they just don’t like those countries. [...]