Mid-2018 Update on the work of UN-Globe
UN-Globe and OUTRight International march in the 2018 NYC Pride Parade
What drives our work is the need to ensure visibility for LGBTIQ-identified people and issues within the UN. Ensuring visibility, breaking the silence on diverse sexual and gender identities is what can ensure inclusive UN policies, and inclusive UN programmatic work. We need to change minds and attitudes.
In May, the UN-GLOBE Board met to discuss the work for 2018-2019. Collecting, gathering, making accessible information will be a core part of that work, whether through a survey of all UN system staff or through the collection of data on each of the countries where the UN serves. More information will be sent on the outcome of these discussions.
In the meantime, UN-GLOBE continues to influence decision-making at the UN. In July, we made a presentation at the Human Resources Network meeting that gathered all the heads of human resources. We pitched them on two ideas: training for all staff on LGBTI issues; and establishing gender diversity as an operational concept at the UN and beyond the gender male-female binary. We will continue pushing for those two core issues. One of the UN-GLOBE Vice-Presidents, Gurchaten Sandhu (aka Nanoo) was present at this meeting.
In Nairobi, through the incredible work of our UN-GLOBE Coordinator in Nairobi, Kimani Kagia, we celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. At our event for the Day, we heard strong statements of support for LGBTIQ-identified vulnerable populations from the Executive Directors of UN Environment and UN Habitat. We will continue organizing more such high-profile events in different duty stations around the world as one more way to give visibility to the LGBTIQ.
Last point. UN-GLOBE has begun advocating for equality when it comes to the means to start a family. Our health insurances should cover fertility treatments for those who want to have a child, and we’ll push for coverage. Such coverage should not be reserved for women who have male partners only.
Excited as always to continue the work!
Sincerely,
Hyung Hak Nam (Alfonso)
President, UN-GLOBE