On 21 September 2016, OutRight Action International, as part of the United Nations LGBT Core Group, organized a High Level event at the United Nations General Assembly. The event, #Path2Equality: Global Leaders Discuss Progress Towards LGBT Equality, was historic and featured the highest level of government leadership in any previous LGBT side event to have taken place at the United Nations(UN).
Government representatives speaking at the event included United States Vice President, Joe Biden, President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, and Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon. The program was moderated by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders.
With the support of OutRight Action International, Caleb Orozco, Belizean LGBT activist who successfully challenged the country’s sodomy law, was also present. Highlighting the decriminalization of sodomy in Belize, he shared a concrete example of progress from his own country.
During the event government leaders and Orozco called attention to successes in the global LGBT human rights movement as well as how much has yet to be done to ensure that all LGBT people live free from violence and discrimination.
Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, articulated the challenges faced by LGBT communities in his speech when he said, “Every year, hundreds are killed, thousands are badly hurt, and millions live their lives under a shadow of discrimination and disapproval. This is an outrage.” He continued, “Many governments refuse to acknowledge human rights abuses against LGBT people – or accept responsibility for ending them… These abuses will only end when countries take concrete steps to protect people: new laws, policies and programmes. This takes leadership and a commitment to work with affected communities.”
Recognizing the role of states in protecting the fundamental rights of LGBT people, President Bachelet remarked, “Defending, protecting and broadening the spectrum of rights for the LGBT community is a duty that our nations must assume,” she continued, “Fighting for LGBT rights is fighting for human rights…We must fight every kind of violence, especially the brutal acts that on a daily basis pose a threat for members of the LGBT community, and many of which, remain unpunished.”
Orozco, who has endured a lifetime of harassment by the Belizean public for being gay and whose personhood was criminalized by Belize’s sodomy law, shared his experience of how he fought for his fundamental civic rights. He stated, “Ten years ago, I set out on the path to achieve equality in my country - to bring down Belize’s sodomy law --- and this year, I won.” He remarked that his success in Belize extends beyond just his country, saying “The news of this victory has reverberated throughout the Caribbean and been a beacon of hope for many...The best thing I see across the Caribbean today is that we are building an LGBT movement. We are not waiting; we’re leading and insisting on a better quality of life for ourselves. ”
Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Erna Solberg recognized Orozco’s courage, conviction, and resilience in bringing down Section 53 of Belize’s Criminal Code.
Vice President Biden spoke from the heart about the changes that have taken place over the last decades around LGBT issues and also noted that there is still much to be done. He concluded his speech with a "Thank you, thank you, thank you all for fighting for fundamental change and human rights."
In line with Orozco’s historic victory in Belize, President Bachelet also highlighted achievements in Chile, noting the passing of an anti-discrimination act, which protects citizens based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, and the enactment of a Civil Union Agreement, allowing both heterosexual and homosexual couples to be recognized as a family.
Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, added to the list of advancements for the human rights of LGBT people at the level of the United Nations, pointing out, “The United Nations is committed to action. Three months ago, the Human Rights Council decided to appoint the first ever UN Independent Expert to monitor and report on these violations. Let us applaud this historic step.” He continued, “The Security Council last year held an unprecedented meeting to discuss targeted violence against LGBT people,” and recognized the importance of government leadership by thanking President Bachelet and Vice President Joe Biden for their government's initiative. The Secretary General concluded his speech with a promise, “I will always fight for the equality of the LGBT members of our human family.”
The event ended with sentiments of hope and the commitment to a world of inclusion and diversity. As stated by Orozco, ”Change is coming to my country as community resistance to oppression and violence is inspired by hope. Systems of support matter for us like this event here today to pave the path to greater equality in Belize and around the world. Today, my family is my greatest defender, but one day soon, I know it will be my government.”
Full speeches:
Published on September 22, 2016 | OutRight Action International an LGBT human rights organization
