Read more here: www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for...

#IESOGI #UN #UNCHR #LGBTRights #HumanRights

The report will examine the specific and intersecting forms of violence and
discrimination faced by LBQ women globally and will be presented to the 62nd session
of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.

which are indispensable to the preparation of ing
the forthcoming a thematic report on the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, and queer
(LBQ) women.

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, is grateful for the many submissions received from all regions,

Together with fellow UN experts, I called on the United Kingdom to ensure that its review of statutory guidance under the Equality Act fully complies with international human rights law and guarantees equal protection for transgender people and all women and girls.

#IESOGI #UN #UNCHR

🌍 In accordance with resolution A/HRC/32/2, the Independent Expert is mandated to undertake official country visits. As the mandate approaches a decade of work, we reflect on the progress achieved and look forward to continued, meaningful engagement with States and stakeholders.

#IESOGI #UN #UNCHR

Humanitarian systems are designed to protect the most vulnerable. But what happens when some people remain invisible within those systems?

If you work in humanitarian, human rights, policy, or have lived experience, your voice can help shape what comes next: 👇

🔗 www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for...

🇨🇴 I’ve concluded my visit to Colombia, where I met 130+ stakeholders across 5 cities.
ENG:www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/docu...
SPA:www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/docu...

🌐🌈I thoroughly enjoyed the powerful conversations with civil society organisations hosted at GAAT and academics and researchers in Bogotá on #SOGI.

📚🧠Their knowledge and critical analysis offer essential perspectives to guide policy and deepen social understanding.

#Colombia has taken important steps to protect #LGBTIQ+ persons, but efforts must be made to effectively address discrimination & violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity - says UN expert @iesogi.bsky.social I concluding his visit to the country.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

🏳️‍🌈🇨🇴Colombia has made notable progress, including constitutional & legal protections for #LGBT persons & has played a leadership role globally. Yet challenges remain.

📄 Read my preliminary observations:www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/docu...

🤝In #Barranquilla, I had the opportunity to meet with 🇨🇴regional and 🇨🇴municipal authorities, as well as 🇨🇴civil society representatives, to discuss local challenges and progress in protecting the rights of 🌈#LGBT people.

❓⁉️Did you know that...❓⁉️ “In many regions of the world, states have enforced existing laws and policies, or imposed new and sometimes extreme measures, to restrict freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, specifically targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. We must work to address and eliminate the root cause of systematic discrimination and violence meted out by State and non-state actors alike.”

❓⁉️Did you know that...❓⁉️

“In many regions of the world, states have enforced existing laws and policies, or imposed new and sometimes extreme measures, to restrict freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, specifically targeting individuals based on SOGI.”

🌿What a privilege to meet with civil society -the bridge between citizens and the state- 🇨🇴from the Antioquia region in Medellín.

🙏I came away with a deeper understanding of the local context and a renewed sense of urgency to support and amplify their voices at the global level.

📢❌Structural inequality, criminalisation, and stigma continue to expose individuals to exclusion, violence, hate crimes, and even State-sanctioned persecution.

👉✅States and the private sector must partner with communities, not police them.

🌎In many parts of the world, #LGBT individuals 🌈 continue to face challenges to full participation in civic and political life 🗳️ including in electoral processes as 👉voters ✌️candidates or ✊activists.

📢This is contrary to democratic principles.

🙌We are strongest together, #LGBT people and those working with them to secure their rights have proved time and again ✌️the value of communities in providing support and driving change.

🌈I was honoured to join an #IDAHOBIT event hosted by 🇨🇴 Colombia and 🇪🇸 Spain—co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition.
✌️A moment to reflect on both the hard-won progress and the challenges that lie ahead. I spoke about the urgent need for continued collaboration.🏳️‍🌈 Rights are not negotiable.

Choose 💚empathy over exclusion, 💙love over hate, 🧡unity over division.

In Bogotá, I met with 🇨🇴 Ministries of Defence, 🇨🇴 Justice and 🇨🇴 Interior to better understand how Colombia is addressing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

🤝 Protecting rights requires coordinated action and transparent dialogue. #IESOGI

Trans women are women. Full stop.

At the beginning of my 🇺🇳🏳️‍🌈#IESOGI country visit to 🇨🇴 Colombia, I met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gaining an 🙌 overview of human rights, including those of #LGBT people in the country. 🙏I am grateful to the presenters for their thoughtful approach and insights shared with the mandate.

Everyone deserves equal rights, freedom from violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment, and stigma – including LGBTIQ+ individuals.
❤️🩷💛🧡💙💚💜🤎🖤🤍

📢I will conduct a country visit to Colombia 19-30 May 2025. The #IESOGI mandate 🏳️‍🌈🇺🇳 will assess how national & international human rights standards⚖️ are being implemented to better the lives of 🌈#LGBT persons in 🇨🇴 #Colombia. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

This International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia #IDAHOBIT, a group of 🇺🇳@UN and regional human rights experts, including the 🏳️‍🌈#IESOGI, highlights the resilience and strength of 🌈communities in confronting violence and discrimination based on SOGI.

💬At the World Forum on Democracy, I spoke about how gender & sexuality are being weaponised for political gain.

🌍 We must push back against scapegoating & stand up for human rights for all, including for 🌈#LGBT people. #IESOGI

The 🇺🇳 @UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights is calling on governments and 👩‍💼businesses to take stronger action to tackle the unfair and harmful impacts #LGBT 🌈individuals often face in the workplace and through business practices.

It’s time to prioritise equality and inclusion!

👏#Trans women🏳️‍⚧️ like all women⚖️are entitled to live free from violence and discrimination.

👏#Trans women🏳️‍⚧️ like all women⚖️are entitled to live free from violence and discrimination.

⛪ "Who am I to judge?", Pope Francis set the tone for a more inclusive, compassionate church.