On March 24, 2021, PGA, in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United States to the United Nations, Copenhagen 2021, LGBT+ Danmark and OutRight Action International, co-organized a side event to the UN’s 65^th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) titled “Women Leaders as Advocates for Equality and Inclusion of LGBTI+ Persons.”^[1]

This year’s CSW priority theme, focused on women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, offered PGA a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of its female member-parliamentarians in advancing the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people in their countries.

With this in mind, the event brought together women leaders from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and Oceania to share best practices in leveraging their public role to address discrimination against LGBTI+ people.

Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize, underlined: “Women have experienced discrimination in our community and in parliament. We, therefore, have a powerful voice to lend to this discussion on equality and inclusion for LGBTI+ people.”

Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, member of parliament from Fiji, stated: “We need more women leaders to speak up for our LGBTI+ family members and community.” While Hon. Esther Passaris, one of the few members openly advocating for LGBTI+ rights in the Kenyan parliament, declared: “To my colleagues who worry about political backlash for taking a stand, I must ask them ‘Are you in it to retain your political seat or to protect everyone?’”

Mexican PGA member Dip. Lucía Riojas^[2] highlighted the role of social movements to put pressure on the government to achieve change and legal reform. In relation to this, Ms. Alicia Kearns, member of parliament from the United Kingdom, expressed confidence on her country passing soon legislation to ban so-called “conversion therapy.” Representatives from the governments of Argentina, Denmark and the United States also shared with participants and attendees from around the world their countries’ commitment to the rights and full inclusion of LGBTI+ people.

Ms. Alba Rueda, Undersecretary for Diversity Policies at Argentina’s Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity, is the first trans woman to serve as government undersecretary in her country’s history. Her remarks underlined the major role women, lesbians, gays, transvestites, trans, bisexuals, intersex and other gender identities have had in the construction of a more just and egalitarian society. Ms. Rueda’s inspiring words served as a powerful reminder of the potential for positive change that opens up when feminist and LGBTI+ movements join forces against marginalization and discrimination.

Ms. Karen Ellemann, member of parliament from Denmark, stressed multi-party support as crucial to advance LGBTI+ equality. She noted that Danish parliamentarians understand this is about basic human rights and therefore work jointly to ensure action plans are cross-party.

Ms. Ulrike Lunacek, former Vice President of the European Parliament and former Co-President of the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup, shared some lessons learned that have proven helpful in her advocacy:

• Use humor;

• It’s normal to be different;

• You don’t decide with whom you fall in love;

• LGBTI+ people are present in all societies throughout history;

• Importance of recruiting allies;

• Be visible and give real-life examples.

This event was a precursor to the Interparliamentary Plenary Assembly (IPA) that will bring together elected officials from around the world to discuss the situation of the global LGBTI+ community in Copenhagen (and virtually) on August 20, 2021 during WorldPride Copenhagen 2021.

PGA is an Executive Partner of the IPA and trusts it will be an ideal platform to encourage governments worldwide to support policies and laws that give LGBTI+ people the freedom to decide how they want to live and whom they want to love.

We look forward to continuing the conversation in Copenhagen!

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