May 18, 2016

Muslim states block 11 LGBT groups from attending UN Aids meeting

Source: The Guardian

Tuesday 17 May 2016 15.49 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 17 May 2016 16.06 EDT

A group of 51 Muslim states has blocked 11 gay and transgender organizations from attending a high-level meeting at the United Nations next month on ending Aids, sparking a protest by the US, Canada and the EU.

Egypt wrote to the president of the 193-member general assembly on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to object to the participation of the 11 groups. It did not give a reason in the letter, which Reuters has seen.

Samantha Power, US ambassador to the UN, wrote to the general assembly president, Mogens Lykketoft, and said the groups appeared to have been blocked for involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy.

“Given that transgender people are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, their exclusion from the high-level meeting will only impede global progress in combating the HIV/Aids pandemic,” Power wrote.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/muslim-states-united-nations-lgbt-groups-aids-meeting

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The article also discusses recent "attacks" on LGBT rights at the UN by Russia, China, India, and parts of Africa. Today is "International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia." Shouldn't that start at the fucking UN?!

May 17, 2016

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia! (and my birthday!)

From the United Nations:

United Nations release fantastic IDAHOT fight song!

The video, titled ‘Why We Fight”, has been produced as part of the ongoing OHCHR-led UN Free & Equal campaign. Conceived as a tribute to activism, the video brings together footage shot by activists and allies in more than 20 countries as well as at UNHQ in New York and reflects the diversity of organizations and causes that people are fighting for in different countries around the world. Singer-songwriter Rachel Platten is supporting the campaign and lent her hit “Fight Song” as the soundtrack. Please share widely!

http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/united-nations-release-fantastic-idahot-fight-song/

Hatred against the GLBT persists around the world, even in the US it is rearing its ugly head in the forms of anti-gay legislation, anti-transgender "bathroom bills", and all around rancid hate-filled acts!

Celebrate by speaking out against hate, fear, intimidation, and lies leveled against the LGBT community! Celebrate by letting that special LGBT person(s) in your life, know you love them!