Insights
Women and Queer Communities to Unite at CSW in Wake of Hostile Politics
Region(s)
Type
Commentary
Author(s)
Publish Date
Share
This March, human rights activists from around the world will gather at the United Nations in New York for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)—a crucial moment for advancing gender equality. But this year, the stakes are higher than ever. With the rollback of U.S. foreign aid, escalating attacks on LGBTIQ rights, and the growing influence of anti-gender movements, the very spaces meant to protect and uplift women and queer people are under threat.
A History of Exclusion—And a Call for Change
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has been a pivotal force in advancing gender equality and women's rights since its establishment in the immediate aftermath of World War II. As the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, CSW has shaped international standards, influenced national policies, and created a platform for addressing critical issues affecting women worldwide. However, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LBTIQ) women and gender nonconforming people have often been left out of these conversations, further entrenching their exclusion and vulnerability. The focus on broad issues such as economic empowerment and gender-based violence has not always accounted for the unique challenges LBTIQ people face, from legal discrimination to state-sponsored violence.
The historical exclusion of LBTIQ voices has had real consequences—perpetuating systemic inequalities, human rights violations, and barriers to access in economic, social, and political spheres. But the presence of queer activists at CSW has also pushed the movement forward in critical ways.
From the Margins to the Mainstage: The Legacy of the Lesbian Tent
A defining milestone for queer advocacy at CSW was the recognition of the Lesbian Tent at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995—a groundbreaking moment for queer visibility in international women’s rights spaces. During the conference, South African activist Bev Ditsie made history as the first openly lesbian woman to address the UN on why lesbian rights are human rights.
Her words still resonate today:
"No woman can determine the direction of her own life without the ability to determine her sexuality."
The Lesbian Tent became more than just a physical space—it became a symbol of resistance, inclusion, and the demand for visibility. It underscored the necessity of LBTIQ leadership in shaping gender justice.
Why CSW 2025 Matters More Than Ever
Now, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, CSW remains a vital space—but one under attack. The rise of far-right movements, anti-gender rhetoric, and trans-exclusionary agendas threatens to erase years of progress. These forces are weaponizing gender equality discourse to exclude LBTIQ people, attempting to roll back protections and restrict funding for those most marginalized.
Despite these threats, CSW continues to be a powerful tool for advocacy, coalition-building, and direct engagement with policymakers. Civil society organizations like Outright International play a critical role in ensuring that LBTIQ voices are not just included but amplified in discussions that shape global gender policy.
Activists must use CSW as a platform to push for:
- The recognition and protection of LBTIQ women and nonbinary people in all gender-related policies.
- Stronger international commitments against anti-LGBTIQ legislation and discrimination.
- Funding and institutional support for organizations working on the frontlines, especially those led by queer, trans, and intersex women.
Join the Conversation: What’s at Stake at CSW 2025
“We Will Not Be Silenced”: What’s at Stake for Queer and Trans Rights at the UN, and Why This Should Matter to All Women
Date: March 6, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Featuring a panel of queer, trans, intersex, and allied feminist activists—Amber Gonzales Quiban, Vidda Guzzo, Daniella Solano, Isabel Marler, Bev Ditsie, and Neela Ghoshal—this discussion will break down:
- The current threats to LGBTIQ rights in UN spaces.
- How feminist, trans, intersex and queer movements can build stronger coalitions.
- What’s at stake if LBTIQ voices are pushed out of CSW.
Now is the time to show up, speak out, and demand action. Together, we will not be silenced.
Take Action: The Beijing+30 Lesbian Tent Demonstration
Thirty years after the original Lesbian Tent, we are taking to the streets to reclaim our place in the fight for gender equality. In the face of rising anti-LGBTIQ sentiment, we are demanding:
- Inclusion and visibility in all global gender policies.
- Protection from violence and discrimination.
- An unwavering commitment from the UN to stand for all women’s human rights.
This public demonstration is organized by and for lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, and intersex women and nonbinary people. All who share these feminist principles are welcome to join. It’s time to send a clear message to the UN, its member states, and the anti-rights actors encroaching on CSW: LGBTIQ lives matter, and we are not going anywhere.
CSW 2025: A Moment of Reckoning
As the world moves toward the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, CSW's role in accelerating progress on gender equality remains more vital than ever. The Commission's unique position as the principal global intergovernmental body focused exclusively on gender equality ensures its continued relevance in shaping the international gender equality agenda for decades to come.
This year, we refuse to let anti-gender forces dictate the future of gender equality. CSW must remain a space where all women—cis, trans, intersex, queer, nonbinary, straight—are heard, valued, and protected.
Outright International will continue to fight for a world where LBTIQ people are not just included in gender justice movements but leading them. Join us—at CSW, at the demonstration, and in our upcoming webinar—to ensure that our voices remain impossible to ignore.
Take Action
When you support our research, you support a growing global movement and celebrate LGBTIQ lives everywhere.
Donate Now