LGBT Human Rights UN Summit

At the United Nations the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is sponsoring the first expert level international discussion bringing LGBTQ religious leaders from around the world to dialogue with conservative religious groups who lobby at the UN as well as UN member states & high-level officials on Thursday October 26th from 11:30A to 3P. IFOR is the world’s oldest interfaith peace organization. The goal is to explore how they can work together globally to end violence & criminalization of LGBT people often because of religiously sanctioned beliefs. Rev. Patricia Ackerman stated, "In the 76 countries where being LGBTI is criminalized, penalties range from death to discrimination. As the UN Representative of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, as well as priest in the Episcopal Church, I believe that now is the time for religious leaders engaged in international advocacy at the UN to affirm that no human being should be persecuted or harmed for their sexual orientation, gender identity, expression or sex characteristics. The UN is an international beacon & LGBTI people are deserving of lives without fear of violence, sexual assault & murder. The UN is an international body for peace, human rights & development. To use the UN as a tool of violence & criminalization is unacceptable." Speakers will include UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour, Representatives from UN Member States, including the LGBTI Core Group, The Chair and Members of the NGO Committee on the Family, UN Special Rapporteur in Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed Dozens of religious NGOs & LGBTIQ faith-based organizations. Also expected to attend are dozens of conservative religious groups.
For More Info: ifor.org
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