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U.N. Security Council Issues Rare Statement On Gay Rights

NPR
Published June 16, 2016 at 1:52 PM EDT
The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the Orlando attack for "targeting persons as a result of their sexual orientation." (sanjitbakshi/Flickr)
The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the Orlando attack for "targeting persons as a result of their sexual orientation." (sanjitbakshi/Flickr)

The deadly attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida continued to resonate around the world with a series of vigils and official signs of support this week. One came from the United Nations Security Council, which issued a statement condemning the attack for “targeting persons as a result of their sexual orientation.”

The comments are the council’s first on issues of gay rights. Even more surprising was the inclusion of Egypt and Russia, known for being unfriendly to the gay community.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young speaks with Jessica Stern of OutRight Action International about the statement and its significance.

Guest

Jessica Stern, executive director of OutRight Action International, formerly known as the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. The organization tweets @OutRightIntl.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.