Russia, China Fail to Thwart Recognition of Gay Group by U.N.

Russia, China, and a small contingent of African and Islamic countries couldn't stop the rest of the United Nations from voting to recognize a gay rights group, a development that is being seen as a win for LGBT people internationally.

For more than a decade, the International Lesbian and Gay Association had sought admission as an official NGO, a nongovernmental organization. Reuters reports that the Economic and Social Council Monday voted overwhelmingly to grant it "consultative status," which means ILGA can attend meetings, speak, and provide information to U.N. councils.

Opposition to the admission came from 14 members of the council; objections included questions from Egypt about whether ILGA members were involved in pedophilia. But 29 others, led by Belgium and the United States, voted to admit ILGA.