We summon our members to circulate and subscribe the manifesto hereby enclosed. You are also welcome to publish it in whatever media you might find appropriate to use. This is a message to all NGOs and institutions of the world for endorsement.
Jordi Petit / Jennifer Wilson
ILGA Secretaries General
Gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves. More and lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More rights are human rights.
The individuals and organizations subscribing to this Manifesto, drafted by the International Lesbian and Gay Association, want to state to the peoples of the world and their governments:
Mankind has been able to abolish slavery and establish certain basic rights of women in almost all parts of the world. We have developed democratic institutions and civil societies. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a condition for successful social and political life in all societies. We must recognize equality and respect diversity.
On the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we bear witness to the strengthening concern of peoples and societies for human rights. A fundamental part of human rights in our time is the recognition of the right of individuals to develop their personalities, identities and sexuality, free from coercion or discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. More. We condemn the discrimination and oppression that continues in many States, including criminal sanctions and even the death penalty.
In solidarity with ILGA, we demand full equality before the law for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. We demand the end of criminal penalties. We seek laws prohibiting discrimination. We demand the full and equal recognition of relationships. We look forward to the inclusion of equality rights, irrespective of sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. More, in national laws and international human rights instruments. Together we can all make a better life for each other and for future generations.
Gay and lesbian rights are human rights.
ILGA 98
20th Anniversary