Today, on 12 November 2020, Malta and the Republic of North Macedonia joined the UN LGBTI Core Group, bringing the number of members of the group to a total of 33 states and the delegation of the European Union.
The UN LGBTI Core Group is an informal cross-regional group working together to mainstream LGBTIQ inclusion throughout UN mechanisms and processes at the UN headquarters in New York. It was established in 2008 and is currently co-chaired by Argentina and The Netherlands. Prior to Malta and North Macedonia joining, Nepal and Iceland were the last to join the group in May 2020.
OutRight serves as the group’s secretariat, supporting the group’s work, that includes issuing statements,organizing events and strategizing around important decisions, including around referencing sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics in UN resolutions. Each year the group hosts a number of high-level events, tackling a variety of topics about LGBTIQ inclusion. The group also works year-round with other Member States to promote progress for LGBTIQ equality.
Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International, commented:
“The UN LGBTI Core Group is a key force dedicated to a vision in which LGBTIQ people live free from discrimination and violence, and fighting for recognition of our rights at an international level. Malta and North Macedonia join at a trying time. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on LGBTIQ people. Conservative governments continue to attack gender and LGBTIQ equality. A ban on legal gender recognition in Hungary, constitutional changes banning same-sex marriage in Russia, threats of mandatory sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts in Indonesia, are just a few of the regressive events from the past year. By joining the group in the face of strong opposition, at a time when we can only meet virtually, Malta and North Macedonia send a strong message - that LGBTIQ equality is not subject to convenience. As the secretariat of the group, OutRight is thrilled to welcome them to the Core Group!”
Notes to Editors:
Members of the UN LGBTI Core Group are Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, the European Union, Iceland, Nepal, and now Malta and North Macedonia, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch and Outright Action International
OutRight Action International is a founding member of the Core Group (2008) and was appointed as the secretariat of the group in 2019
More information about the UN LGBTI Core Group is available on their website.
Media Contact: Daina Ruduša, commsteam@outrightinternational.org,