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There are many conflicts that are occouring between the LGBTQ+ people. Many are disgusted by the idea of marriage between two people of the same sex. Others argue it is wrong to judge, that everyone should be treated equally and that the LGBTQ+ people should be able to marry each other. Everyone is human and should be all treated with the same respect.

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The ACLU has a long history of defending the LGBTQ community. We brought our first LGBTQ rights case in 1936 and founded the LGBTQ Project in 1986. Today, the ACLU brings more LGBTQ cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national organization does. With our reach into the courts and legislatures of every state, there is no other organization that can match our record of making progress both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion.
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For non-LGBTQ issues, please contact your local ACLU affiliate.

The ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project seeks to create a just society for all LGBTQ people regardless of race or income. Through litigation, lobbying, public education, and organizing, we work to build a country where our communities can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association.

Current Issues

The ACLU believes that sexual orientation and gender identity should not affect a person's legal ability to be a parent. We are fully supported in this belief by reputable child welfare experts and social scientists who study LGBT parenting. We therefore advocate for LGBT people to have equal opportunities to build the kinds of families that they feel are most meaningful to them.

The ACLU believes that LGBT people, like everyone else, should have the freedom to build the kinds of personal, intimate relationships most meaningful to them without risking that their families will be disregarded or harmed by the state.

We're working to make public schools safe and bias-free for LGBT students, defending students' free speech in school, and helping students start gay-straight alliance clubs. Check out our information for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Learn about your rights, download resources, and get support here.

LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections

For over 80 years, the ACLU has included LGBT people in its vision of civil rights and civil liberties for all. We still have much more work to do to achieve lasting legal and social change. That's why we're fighting in the legislatures, courts, and streets for nondiscrimination laws that specifically protect LGBT people.

The ACLU champions transgender people's right to be themselves. We're fighting against discrimination in employment, housing, and public places (including restrooms) by seeking to add clear transgender protections to the law and bringing cases under the laws that already exist.

Criminal Justice Reform for LGBT People

As part of our work to combat the relentless expansion of the criminal justice system, the ACLU works to ensure that LGBT people and people living with HIV/AIDS who have contact with law enforcement are treated fairly and are not singled out for violence or discrimination.

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The ACLU has a long history of defending the LGBTQ community. We brought our first LGBTQ rights case in 1936 and founded the LGBTQ Project in 1986. Today, the ACLU brings more LGBTQ cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national organization does.

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Are LGBT rights human rights? (Article #2)

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Are LGBT rights human rights? (Article #2)

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Information on if LGBTQ+ rights follow or are the same as our human rights. We can find out if we are doing the right thing by supporting the LGBTQ+ community. And why what we are doing now is either right or wrong. Standing up for what is right is most important and everyone should be supportive of each other no matter what kind of person they are.

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With the increased global media attention on violent acts of persecution inflicted on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) persons, a crucial question before the world community today is whether gay rights are included under our basic human rights. At the United Nations, this question is slowly taking center stage, but it is not at all clear what the U.N. deliberations will yield from the linkage between gay rights and human rights. Foundational U.N. documents appear to provide guidance. For example, the Charter of the United Nations (1945) ¹ encourages "respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction‖ in Chapter I, Article 1, #3. Similarly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1945) ² states in Article 2: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind." Regardless, among a substantial percentage of Member States that have sworn to protect the human rights of their citizens, same sex relations remain illegal. This article will outline recent developments at the United Nations and discuss the progress that has been made with regards to including gay rights under the legal protections of human rights.

Human Rights Day, December 2010 & 2011: Marking the occasion of Human Rights Day on December 9, 2010, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke at a Ford Foundation event in New York City entitled, "Speak Up, Stop Discrimination." The event honored human rights defenders - those courageous women and men who strive to make human rights a reality for everyone, everywhere. In this speech, Mr. Ban called for individuals to stand up for the rights of all and specifically referred to defending the rights of people jailed for their sexual orientation. This statement clearly identified his advocacy for the issue of gay rights in the context of human rights, and in so doing, placed this issue on the agenda of the United Nations.

The following year, in a Human Rights Day address to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Dec. 6, 2011, the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stated that one of the remaining human rights challenges before the world today is guaranteeing the equality and dignity of members of the LGBT community. ⁴ She spoke of this "invisible minority," whose human rights were in jeopardy throughout the world, and in this way, she called for greater protection of LGBT persons. She asserted that gay rights and human rights are not distinct, as some have argued, and referred to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a foundational U.N. document guaranteeing gay rights as human rights. She outlined how violence against the LGBT community in any form is a violation of human rights, including the withholding of life-saving care or the denial of access to equal justice. Finally, Ms. Clinton argued that, despite the due respect for cultural and religious traditions, these traditions do not trump human rights and therefore should not serve as a pretext for denying fundamental rights to citizens based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

A few days later, Mr. Ban offered his own Human Rights Day message at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, focusing on homophobic bullying. ⁵ On Dec. 8, 2011, he identified homophobic bullying as a form of violence endangering the human rights of LGBT persons and encouraged Member Nations to protect their citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Mr. Ban articulated the profound psychological suffering that ensues from bullying, including depression and suicide. He also underscored the responsibility of local communities - including individual citizens, community leaders, teachers, religious and public figures - to share in the challenge of ending violence against LGBT persons and protecting their own neighbors from persecution.

The United Nations Speaks Out, April 2011

In April 2011, the U.N. Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), the Joint U.N. Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaboratively published a brochure titled "The United Nations Speaks Out: Tackling Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity." This brochure cites statements that have been made by U.N. senior officials and human rights experts regarding LGBT rights - including statements from the U.N. Secretary General and the U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights. The quote from Mr. Ban followed his 2010 Human Rights Day speech and avers: "But let there be no confusion: where there is tension between cultural attitudes and universal human rights, rights must carry the day." ⁶ The U.N. High Commissioner, Navi Pillay, was quoted on February 2011: "Laws criminalizing homosexuality pose a serious threat to the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals." ⁶ These statements strongly and clearly advocate in favor of human rights protections for LGBT individuals. By jointly issuing this brochure, OHCHR, UNDP, UNAIDS, and WHO showed that the United Nations partners speak together on this matter. The brochure can be found on the OHCHR website.

UNHCR report, December 2011

On December 15, 2011 OHCHR released its first report on the human rights of LGBT persons. ⁷ This report details the worldwide manifestations of discrimination based on sexual orientation, noting that violence against LGBT persons has a history of hate-motivated violence, such as discrimination in work, health care, education, detention and torture. The publication of this report followed two historic developments of the Human Rights Council. First, 85 countries signed on to a statement calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality in March 2011. Subsequently, a resolution initiated by South Africa was passed in June 2011 and became the first U.N. resolution calling for support of gay rights.

Concurrent with the OHCHR report, Navi Pillay of South Africa, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, appealed to U.N. Member States to decriminalize homosexuality and enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. The OHCHR report documents that same-sex relationships are illegal in 76 countries, and the death penalty may be invoked as punishment in at least 5 countries. The report carefully links antihomosexuality laws with the legitimacy of violence against nations¡¥ citizens based on sexual orientation and gender identity. When persons are formally and legally devalued, it follows that designating their status as second rate may lead to "acceptable" persecution. The OHCHR report encourages nations to institute public information campaigns to educate citizens about ensuring the rights of LGBT persons. Additionally, those sworn to protect individual rights, such as police and law enforcement officers and public officials, should receive appropriate training in this subject. The report emphasizes the shared community responsibility in combating homophobia and transphobia, and to that end, calls on nations to:

repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality,

abolish the death penalty for offenses involving consensual sexual relations,

enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws,

standardize the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual conduct,

investigate all killings or serious violence against sexual orientation or gender identity,

ensure that asylum laws recognize sexual orientation and gender identity as a basis for claiming persecution and

enable LGBT persons fleeing persecution to avoid returning to countries or territories where their freedom is threatened.

Human Rights Council, March 2012

The OHCHR report was released in anticipation of a Human Rights Council meeting scheduled for March 2012. Ban Ki-moon opened the Council meeting by stating: The High Commissioner's report documents disturbing abuses in all regions. We see a pattern of violence and discrimination directed at people just because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. There is widespread bias at jobs, schools and hospitals, and appalling violent attacks, including sexual assault. People have been imprisoned, tortured, even killed. This is a monumental tragedy for those affected ― and a stain on our collective conscience. It is also a violation of international law. You, as members of the Human Rights Council, must respond.

To those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, let me say: You are not alone. Your struggle for an end to violence and discrimination is a shared struggle. Any attack on you is an attack on the universal values of the United Nations I have sworn to defend and uphold. Today, I stand with you, and I call upon all countries and people to stand with you, too. ⁸

Conclusion

The United Nations has been working with Member States to reject discrimination and criminalization based on homophobia and transphobia. While the denial of human rights for LGBT persons persists throughout the world today, over 30 countries have decriminalized homosexuality in the past 20 years. In the face of resistance, determined efforts from the U.N., associated NGOs, and representatives of Member States to guarantee the human rights of LGBT persons have been gaining momentum. Today, under the leadership of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there is no doubt that the U.N. is making progress toward the global inclusion of LGBT rights in our basic human rights.

References

¹United Nations. (1945). Charter of the United Nations. New York, NY: UN Department of Public Information. Retrieved from www.un.org/en/documents/charter/ index.shtml

²United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. New York, NY: UN Department of Public Information. Retrieved from www.un.org/en/documents/udhr

³United Nations. (2010). Secretary-General SG/SM/133309 HR/5042 OBV/951. Retrieved from www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sgsm13309.doc.htm

⁴Clinton, H. (2011, Dec. 8). Remarks in recognition of Human Rights Day. Washington, DC: United States Department of State. Retrieved from www.state.gov/ secretary/rm/2011/12/178368.htm

⁵United Nations. (2011). Secretary-General SG/SM/14008 HR/5080. Retrieved from www.un.org/News/Press/ docs/2011/sgsm14008.doc.htm

⁶United Nations. (2011). The United Nations Speaks Out: Tackling Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. [Brochure]. Retrieved from www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/LGBTBrochure.aspx

⁷United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). (2011). Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations. Retrieved from www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/19session/A.HRC.19.41_English.pdf

⁸United Nations. (2012). Secretary-General SG/SM/14145 HRC/13. Retrieved from www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ sgsm14145.doc.htm

About the Co-Editors

Juneau Gary, PsyD, (main representative to DPI) is professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Kean University in New Jersey, and Neal S. Rubin, PhD, ABPP, (representative to DPI) is Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology of Argosy University in Chicago. Both are associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and are co-editors of this column.

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Are LGBT rights human rights? Recent developments at the United Nations

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With the increased global media attention on violent acts of persecution inflicted on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) persons, a crucial question before the world community today is whether gay rights are included under our basic human rights. At the United Nations, this question is slowly taking center stage, but it is not at all clear what the U.N.

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How The Law Protects LGBTQ Youth. (Article #3)

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How The Law Protects LGBTQ Youth. (Article #3)

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The law helps support the LGBTQ+  community. It allows everyone to help and represent the LGBTQ+ people with our own expressions. It also grants others permission to stand up and lend a hand to help support the people of the LGBTQ+ community wherever we are, without being judged for doing so. Everyone has the oppertunity to stand up for themselves and others.

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You don't have to be out to be protected under the Constitution from anti-LGBTQ discrimination. You don't even have to be LGBTQ. Discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity violates your constitutional rights, as may discrimination based on your friendship, family relationship or other association with LGBTQ people.

Title IX
A federal law called Title IX, which bans discrimination based on sex, protects students at schools that receive federal funds. Courts have agreed that the sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX not only includes discrimination for being a girl or boy, but also includes sexual harassment and discrimination for failing to conform to gender stereotypes. LGBTQ targets of sex discrimination and harassment have successfully relied on Title IX's protections in several court cases involving schools.

State Antidiscrimination Laws and Antibullying Laws
A growing number of states are taking additional steps to protect LGBTQ youth by explicitly including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in laws that protect against discrimination and harassment in schools. States can vary widely in how they structure, apply and enforce these laws, and you should consult Lambda Legal ( www.lambdalegal.org/help) or a local attorney if you are facing discrimination and need more specific information about laws in your area.

Detailed safeguards exist in California, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and a growing number of other states. Laws in all of these states require local school boards to enact antiharassment policies that specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. The policies must allow for complaints and investigations, impose consequences for violations and protect students who report harassment from retaliation. Schools must also make sure students learn about these policies.

While laws in other states may not take the same form or go into the same detail, they may still protect against abuse and discrimination at school. For example, in addition to the states listed above, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington State have laws barring discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

A growing number of courts are interpreting laws addressing sex discrimination to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity/expression.

Many other states have enacted antibullying laws without specifically mentioning sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. But this doesn't mean that schools can ignore anti-LGBTQ bullying. Remember, Title IX covers all schools that receive federal funds (nearly all schools in the country). The federal Constitution requires states to apply antibullying protections equally to all public school students.

Local Laws and School District Policies
Even if your state legislature hasn't specifically banned anti-LGBTQ discrimination and harassment in school, city ordinances and local school districts within your state may have done so. More and more communities-from small rural towns to large urban areas like Dallas, Miami-Dade, Nashville and Philadelphia - have enacted rules protecting students from discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Consult with a friendly school official, a local attorney or Lambda Legal ( www.lambdalegal.org/help) to learn more.

Student Expression
In addition, LGBTQ students have the right:

to voice your support for LGBTQ equality at school

to wear T-shirts or distribute leaflets expressing LGBTQ-positive statements without censorship based on your opinion or viewpoint

to hang posters, make announcements and hold meetings for LGBTQ-related groups on the same terms as other student organizations

to write a column or article in a personal or student-led publication addressing LGBTQ issues without discrimination based on your LGBTQ-supportive ideas

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You don't have to be out to be protected under the Constitution from anti-LGBTQ discrimination. You don't even have to be LGBTQ. Discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity violates your constitutional rights, as may discrimination based on your friendship, family relationship or other association with LGBTQ people.

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Most people still believe that two people of the same gender should not be allowed to marry. A reason given for feeling this way is the belief in which the children will be raised or grow differently. Or in other words, without both a mother and a father. Others believe that families of the LGBTQ+ community will not grow in the same ways that ordinary families usually do.

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The percentage of supporters of the LGBTQ+ community has risen. The percentage of people who had supported it back in the 1900's, has changed drastically from what it had once been before. The amount of people that support LGBTQ+ people has risen. Now many more people are being supported and helping each other more today than they had been back then.

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Many people had been, and still are harmed for being LGBTQ+. Just because they were different, they were not treated with respect in most places. Most LGBTQ+ people back them would be harmed for being who they were, and some people even lost their lives. Today we can still help to make a difference.

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LGBT Rights are Human Rights (Photo  #3)

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LGBT Rights are Human Rights (Photo  #3)

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Most LGBTQ+ people believe human rights and LGBTQ rights should be the same altogether.

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Marriage between to people of the same genders used to be and is still judged, though today many more people are supportive of the idea.

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LGBTQ+ rights are very similar to and fall under our humans rights laws.

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Equality is the most important thing to remember, and is still being fought for in the LGBTQ+ community.

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Many supporters and members of the LGBTQ+ community wear, share, or have the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ people.

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LGBT Rights - Why They Matter (Video #1)

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LGBT Rights - Why They Matter (Video #1)

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Why the LGBTQ+ rights matter and are important to have.

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Hillary Clinton: Gay Rights Are Human Rights (Video #2)

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Hillary Clinton: Gay Rights Are Human Rights (Video #2)

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Hillary Clinton's speech about the rights of the LGBTQ+ people.

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0:00 / 0:15•Watch full video

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Hillary Clinton: 'Gay Rights Are Human Rights' | NBC News