LGBT and Human Rights: New Challenges, Next Steps

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues and human rights have been rising steadily up the international agenda. South Africa spearheaded the first UN Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (supported by Brazil and 39 other countries), Argentina adopted landmark legislation in recognition of gender identity, and the US, the European Union and UK have identified LGBT rights as a cross-cutting priority in foreign and international development policy. The groundbreaking 2006 Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity have become an important resource, inspiring National Human Rights Commissions in Australia, Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines and New Zealand to review their legislation.

While the sphere of the law in an increasingly interconnected world provides an essential frame of reference, underlying cultural value systems need to be taken into consideration. No longer defined by conventional Western/non-Western divides, the meanings given to LGBT equality - in such diverse debates as those of a society's moral fiber, political belief system, specific history or social health - fluctuate greatly.

This seminar will bring together 60 participants from all regions of the world, 40 of them from non-Western countries, and from diverse professional or civic backgrounds where the law and culture intersect.

Speaking ahead of the opening session, seminar Chair Klaus Mueller said: "Human kind is defined by its diversity: the free expression of sexuality and gender is increasingly defining the societies in which we want to live in the 21st century. But progress is by no means certain. In 2011, South Africa spearheaded the first UN Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, supported by 40 other countries--yet in 78 states, governments continue to legitimize and sponsor violence again their LGBT citizens."

Mueller, who is a museums consultant, film-maker and historian, and whose academic work includes in-depth study of the persecution of homosexuals under the Nazi regime, hopes that his initiative and the seminar will go on to launch a new Global LGBT Forum.

"I strongly believe now is the time to create a Global LGBT Forum. A space to come together and reflect on the new challenges we are facing and consider the next steps needed to secure the safety, free expression and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and communities," said Mueller.

This session is designed to:

• Support better understanding of this evolving moral, legal, social and political landscape
• Create a platform for exchange and communication for decisive global voices from diverse spheres
• Look at LGBT and human rights through the lens of cultural diversity, creative expression and civic responsibility.

Following the seminar we will present a Salzburg Statement on next steps to the UN, the Council of Europe and other relevant bodies. Pending the recommendations of the group, follow-on work from this initial seminar is likely to include: regional initiatives in 2014 and beyond; the publication of a first global survey of the issues explored at the seminar; and web-based knowledge sharing.