More than a third of the world’s countries criminalise consensual, loving same-sex relationships, entrenching prejudice and putting millions of people at risk of blackmail, arrest and imprisonment. Many countries force transgender people to undergo medical treatment, sterilisation or meet other abusive preconditions before they can obtain legal recognition of their gender identity. Intersex children are often subjected to unnecessary surgery and treatment, causing physical and psychological pain and suffering. In many cases, a lack of adequate legal protections combined with hostile public attitudes leads to widespread discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people – including workers being fired from jobs, students bullied and expelled from schools, and patients denied essential healthcare.

Yet, we all have the same, inviolable human rights, no matter who we are or whom we love.

The UN Free & Equal campaign calls for and promotes equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTIQ+ people everywhere.

Because we’re all born Free & Equal.