The right to freedom of religion or belief and the right to live free from violence and discrimination based on SOGI are both built on a promise of human freedom
Statement by human rights experts on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Geneva/Washington D.C./Strasbourg, 14 May 2021
On the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), which will be held on 17 May 2021, a group of United Nations and international human rights experts* calls on States, faith-based institutions, religious leaders and other stakeholders to consider the negative impact of exclusionary or stigmatizing narratives on violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender diverse (LGBT) persons. LGBT and gender diverse persons are and have always been part of all faith traditions around the world and, as all human beings, must be recognized as worthy of love and belonging.
Freedom in general, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief in particular, are cornerstones of the international human rights framework, and the right to freedom of religion or belief of all human beings during their life course, including that of LGBT persons, must be recognized. Religious authorities have a responsibility to ensure that religion and tradition are not utilized to promote discrimination of persons based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.