By Dan Littauer, Executive Editor 24.5.11

ILGA was blocked for the second time round this year for consultative status, in the United Nations.  It has been over ten years that ILGA has been consistently blocked consultative status.

In Feburary ILGA was blocked a for consultative status in the ESOC by a coalition of Muslim and African Nations led by Sudan.  Yesterday, on the 23.5.11 Belgium attempted to have ILGA receive consultative status once again, but again the members of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations voted against its inclusion.

Sudan- No. Turkey- Yes. US- Yes. Venezuela- Abstain. Belgium- Yes. Bulgaria- Yes. Burundi- No. China- No. India- Yes. Israel –Yes. Kygryzstan – No. Morocco- No. Mozambique- Abstain. Nicaragua- Abstain. Pakistan- No. Peru- Yes. Russia – No. Senegal- No.

It is encouraging, however, to see that Turkey voted for the inclusion of ILGA while Mozambique abstained. It may be that certain countries that traditionally have been against any involvement of LGBT rights groups in the UN are softening their stance, and this is particularly important within the context of the Middle East and Africa. OIC and African states have consistently voted against LGBT related resolutions and issues in the UN.  So although ILGA's status has again been rejected, the trend is in fact encouraging and signifies a possible crack in the coalition between the OIC and African Union on this matter. GME hopes that intense campgaing will help change this shameful tendency led by the OIC, China and Russia.