Attitudes take time to change. Policy changes can take even longer.
What is important is that we start by changing the conversation.
When we open people’s minds; when we illuminate a problem where they thought there was none before; when we help administrators see that UN policies and systems cater to heterosexuality and the gender binary, and not to diversity amongst UN personnel; we have taken a big step forward and are closer to our goals of equality and inclusion.
UN-GLOBE is an all-volunteer association with a Board, a wide network of duty station and entity-based Coordinators, and thousands of members around the world. Together, we strive to bring equality and inclusion to UN policies and duty stations, and to ensure that LGBTIQ+ personnel, LGBTIQ+ dependents, and all UN staff and families can carry out their work with safety, security, and dignity. The UN system rarely changes overnight, but we are dedicated to advocating for our causes until changes do come.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Eliminating Homophobia & transphobia in the workplace
We will introduce proposals for inclusive workplaces for transgender and intersex personnel. All personnel deserve dignity and equal opportunities.
We will introduce proposals for inclusive workplaces for staff members with HIV/AIDS. A stigma-free workplace is our cause, and we’ll embrace it.
We will introduce a survey to measure the satisfaction of LGBTIQ+ personnel in the UN system, and to measure attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ issues. Having hard numbers can benefit us all, personnel and administrators alike.
UN Photo/Logan Abassi
Safe & Equal Mobility and opportunity
UN-GLOBE calls for the UN system to ensure that all LGBTIQ+ personnel are able to remain mobile, and that it give utmost consideration when life in a so-called family duty station becomes a de facto hardship duty station because they cannot bring their families, or they face homophobia or transphobia-based hostility.
UN-GLOBE calls for a fair process that fully recognizes and responds to situations where family duty stations become de facto hardship duty stations for LGBTIQ+ personnel and their families.
UN Photo/Arran Skinner
Equality in Parental Leave & HEALTH BENEFITS
We will continue to push for new parental policies across the UN system that treat all families equally. We believe parents are parents. They deserve equitable parental leave time whether their children are adopted, born through surrogacy, or given birth by UN personnel.
We advocate for inclusive health care that includes equitable insurance addressing the needs of LGBTIQ+ people, including in relation to gender-affirming care and reproductive support. We want every UN personnel in every duty station to be able to access dignified health care and necessary medications without stigma or the potential for harm.