MESSAGE BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA

Following is a message by Michael Møller, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (17 May 2016):

“The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) was proclaimed in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to this issue. The date of 17 May was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

In many parts of the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people face discrimination, stigmatization and acts of violence. In many more countries still, citizens are denied their right to live according to their preferred gender identity. Legal discrimination, social homophobia and transphobia continue to deny millions of people across the world of their basic human dignity. Defenders advocating for the rights of LGBTI individuals face serious challenges while exercising their work, including threats, attacks, criminalization of their activities, and defamation campaigns.

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is now celebrated in more than 100 countries. It has received official recognition by several States, international institutions such as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

UN-GLOBE, the staff group representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex colleagues of the UN system, calls for a day of action to highlight the cost of hiding one’s sexual or gender identity in the UN workplace and asks each staff member to make a contribution by pledging to embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

I strongly support UN-GLOBE’s call for action. Creating a safe workplace where every staff member feels included and valued, can unlock the incredible potential of each one of us, a potential that can be put in the service of the United Nations.”



For use of the information media; not an official record

DG16/003E