LGBT humanitarian
group recognized by U.N.

The European chapter of the International Lesbian and Gay Association has been acknowledged by the United Nations to receive consultative status on Monday. The executive director of ILGA-Europe, Patricia Prendiville, said the new status gives the group a chance to speak on behalf of people who have experienced discrimination due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.

"This is the best recognition of LGBT rights as human rights that LGBT activists could have received one day after marking International Human Rights Day on 10th December," she said in a press release. "We hope this decision marks a fundamental change at the U.N. level with regards to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Just days ago 54 member states of the U.N. supported a statement acknowledging these forms of discrimination and calling upon the U.N. to seriously address them." (The Advocate)