Evidence of Systemic and Unlawful Promotion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity by UN Secretariat, Agencies, and other UN Entities

Recent debates on the use of the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” within the United Nations in reference to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) are often conducted with the assumption that these notions are clearly defined in science and law. In fact, there is no scientific consensus on how to define sexual orientation, very few countries treat individuals who identify as LGBT as a discrete class of persons, and many proscribe homosexual conduct because of moral and public health concerns.

International law does not recognize the notion of “sexual orientation and gender identity” (SOGI). There is no binding UN treaty that mentions sexual orientation and gender identity and no UN treaty can be fairly interpreted to include these notions. Nor is there a colorable argument that a customary international norm exists regarding these notions.[i]

Nevertheless, there is a widespread shift within the UN system to promote SOGI as categories of nondiscrimination and the basis for novel “human rights,” independent of the lack of consensus that any such standards should exist.

View online at: https://c-fam.org/briefing_paper/evidence-of-systemic-and-unlawful-promotion-of-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-by-un-secretariat-agencies-and-other-un-entities/

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