International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: “If we fail to ensure equality for some, we fail for everyone”

The beauty of human rights lies in the fact they are for everyone.

No matter who we are or whom we love.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the ‘equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family’ as the ‘foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

If we fail to ensure equality for some, we fail for everyone.

The fight for equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people has made huge strides in the past decades.

I honour the courageous and committed LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders in every corner of the world who have driven these crucial advances.

Much progress has been made just in the past 18 months.

Four more countries have decriminalized consensual same-sex relations.

Other countries have adopted laws which recognize transgender people’s gender identity in line with human rights standards, and have legally recognized same-sex couples.

And more measures to prohibit discrimination and combat hate crimes have been introduced.

But the journey to genuine equality is far from over.

Today, LGBTIQ+ people still face disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination all around the world.

They are denied equal access to education, employment, health, housing and justice.

In some countries, horrific legislation has been adopted which applies the death penalty for consensual same-sex relations. Public discussions and educational materials on the rights of LGBTIQ+ people are prohibited. Attacks and restrictions on human rights defenders persist. And anti-rights groups, and some media and political groups continue to fuel dehumanizing, hateful narratives.

On this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, weurge solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community.

UN Free & Equal’s* new Allies in Action campaign calls on individuals and communities to take the steps needed to create more inclusive, more loving societies, where everyone is valued no matter who they are or whom they love.

Because together, when we speak up against injustice, we are stronger. Together, we can build momentum for change that advances equality, and ultimately, saves lives.

* UN Free & Equal is the United Nations’ global campaign for LGBTIQ+ equality, led by UN Human Rights. The campaign works with decision makers, civil society and community members around the world to change discriminatory laws and put legal protections in place for LGBTIQ+ people experiencing violence and discrimination, by challenging negative stereotypes and narratives and winning over the hearts and minds of potential allies. Follow the new campaign, Allies in Action, on www.unfe.org, on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).