The consultative status was also granted to two of ILGA-Europe’s members – the Danish National Association for Gays and Lesbians – LBL, and the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany – LSVD.

ILGA-Europe specifically acknowledges the European Union for its consistent commitment, support and leadership regarding the applications from organisations combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We also acknowledge the dedicated co-operative work of sister NGOs around the worlds lobbying for this recognition.

Patricia Prendiville, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, said:

“We are delighted with the decision to grant ILGA-Europe and two of its members consultative status with ECOSOC. This is a truly historic decision as now organisations representing and defending rights of LGBT people can address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the United Nations level. This is the best recognition of LGBT rights as human rights that LGBT activists could have received one day after marking International Human Rights Day on 10th December.

We hope this decision marks a fundamental change at the UN level with regards to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Just days ago 54 member states of the UN supported a statement acknowledging these forms of discrimination and calling upon the UN to seriously address them.”

Further information on voting details as well as individual country’s statements are available in the ECOSOC media statement: www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/ecosoc6242.doc.htm