Three European gay NGOs have been granted observer status at the United Nations, the Economic and Social Council announced on Monday.
Approved were the Brussels-based International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe (ILGA-Europe), Danish National Association for Gays and Lesbians (LBL), and Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD).
They are the first LGBT groups to be ìrecognisedî by the United Nations, though a lesbian-only group in Australia already has observer status.
ìWe are delighted with the decision to grant ILGA-Europe and two of its members consultative status with ECOSOC,î said Patricia Prendiville, executive director of ILGA-Europe.
ìThis is a truly historic decision as now organisations 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 one day after marking International Human Rights Day on December 10.
ìWe hope this decision marks a fundamental change at the UN level with regards to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
ìJust 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.î
Ms Prendiville added that ILGA-Europe specifically acknowledged the European Union for its consistent commitment, support and leadership regarding the applications from organisations combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The group also acknowledged the dedicated co-operative work of sister NGOs around the world who lobbied for the UN recognition.
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