LGBT Groups
Granted U.N. Representation

Two European LGBT rights organization have been recommended for consultative status at the United Nations.

COC Netherlands and the Spanish Federacion Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales, y Bisexuales will be able to voice their opinions to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) at its meeting in New York next month.

Both groups had been denied a recommendation at a January meeting of the Non-Governmental Organization Committee.

The ECOSOC is made up of 19 countries and assists in providing information to the General Assembly.

Colombia, Dominica, Israel, Peru, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States voted in favor of granting the consultative status. China, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and Sudan voted against the measure. Six nations abstained: Angola, Burundi, Guinea, India, Turkey, and Cuba were not present for the vote.

LGBT organizations were first given consultative status in 2006. After lobbying by the International Lesbian and Gay Association, the ECOSOC recognized five LGBT organizations. (The Advocate)