Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, from the US Mission to the United Nations, announced the consensus adoption of a UN resolution referencing sexual orientation and gender identity yesterday, Thursday 16th of December. The United States is proud to celebrate the first time in the UN’s 76 years of history that any UN body has ever adopted by consensus a text referencing “sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The adoption of the US’ biennial resolution on “Strengthening the Role of the United Nations in Promoting Democratization in Enhancing Periodic and Genuine Elections,” passed by the United Nations General Assembly, represents a big step forward for the UN and marks a landmark moment for the LGBTQI+ community.
“This landmark moment is not only historic for the broader LGBTQI+ movement, but draws attention to the challenges LGBTQI+ persons face in voting and running for office and underscores the critical role the international community can play in addressing these barriers,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
Too many laws, policies and regulations continue to discriminate against socially marginalized citizens on the basis of their race, sexual orientation, and disabilities. In an effort to counter the widespread discrimination, this resolution explicitly states that individuals “should not be barred from running for office or from voting on the basis of their identity.”
Moreover, the resolution aims to encourage the universality of democratic values founded on people’s free will and their inclusion in all facets of public affairs, such as the need for free and fair elections for all citizens.
Honored to have facilitated the text leading to this historic achievement, the US vows to continue to collaborate with member countries of the UN LGBTI Core Group, all members of civil society and others, until the human rights of all individuals, independently of sexual orientation and gender identity, are realized.
