ALL UNITED NATIONS STAFF CAN HELP TO MAKE THE UNITED NATIONS A HOMOPHOBIA-FREE
WORKPLACE. UN-GLOBE CALLS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR GAY, LESBIAN,
BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES.

While the United Nations protects human rights worldwide,
its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff members
continue to face stigma and discrimination in the workplace.
A recent survey at a UN organization found that 55% of respondents
had not “come out” to their supervisor because
they were worried about damaging their career and had
experienced homophobic behaviour and discrimination in
the past. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff and
their families may be denied secure pensions, allowances,
residence permits for members of their household or even
family leave to be with a sick, disabled or injured partner,
spouse or child. These are just a few of the negative reallife
effects of discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people.

The UN and its staff have a duty to uphold the organization’s
founding principles of justice, human dignity and the
well-being of all. Homophobia has no place within UN corridors.
Now is the time to speak out against stigma and
discrimination and to guarantee the right to dignity and
equality of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues
in the workplace.

UN-GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Employees at the
UN) is a UN staff group inspired by the underlying human
rights principles of the United Nations Charter, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the core values expected
of all staff. Founded in 1996, it works with the Office
of Human Resources Management, staff associations and
allied staff members, advocating for equal rights for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender UN employees around
the world, including with regard to relationship recognition
and equal benefits. UN-GLOBE calls on all UN employees
to recognize diversity as an asset, eliminate discrimination
and promote a homophobia-free workplace.