International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is celebrated today. The date marks the decision by the World Health Organization to remove the term "homosexuality" from the International Classification of Diseases on May 17, 1990.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs joins in homage to all those fighting for the human rights of LGBT people. Brazil has been vocal in promoting and protecting these rights in all relevant international fora, in the understanding that recognizing the human rights of LGBT people does not imply the creation of new rights, but rather the application of the principle of equality to the exercise of consecrated human rights and the combat of any and all forms of discrimination.  

Among the recent advances in this matter, it is noteworthy to remember that, since 2008, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States has annually adopted resolutions on "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity". At the global level, the Human Rights Council approved, on June 2016, the creation of the independent expert mandate on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Both initiatives have the support of the Brazilian Government.

These actions reaffirm the recognition of the states obligations with the protection and promotion of human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transgender, under equal conditions.