U.N. Committee Rejects Gay Organization

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission faces many hurdles to be recognized by the United Nations, specifically from socially conservative nations.

A U.N. committee including Egypt, Sudan, Qatar, Pakistan, China, Russia, Angola, Burundi, and Sudan voted against IGLHRC receiving "consultative status," according to Reuters.

Both the United States and the United Kingdom voted to support IGLHRC.

The United States released a statement acknowledging the importance of the nongovernmental organization: "This NGO is committed to combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

The U.N. committee, composed of 19 member nations, may reexamine IGLHRC sooner rather than later. If the Economic and Social Council, where IGLHRC initially applied for status, votes to validate the group, it may increase the group's chances of receiving U.N. recognition.