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The U.N. Votes To Create Its First LGBT Rights Watchdog

The United Nations Human Rights Council voted Thursday to create the institution’s first LGBT rights watchdog. The resolution passed in a vote of 23 to 18, with six abstentions.

The person appointed to this role will be known as an “independent expert” and the position is charged with monitoring “violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

This was the most ambitious effort yet to advance LGBT rights within the U.N. system, and the resolution included the strongest language to date suggesting LGBT rights should be a concern of international human rights law.

H/T: BuzzFeed

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United Nations Issues Stamps Celebrating LGBT Identity

The stamps are designed by out artist Sergio Baradat as part of the U.N.’s “Free & Equal” campaign, which promotes understanding and acceptance of LGBTQI people around the world. According to the Associated Press, they were unveiled in a ceremony at the U.N. General Assembly featuring a performance by the New York Gay Men’s Chorus.

H/T: The Advocate