The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has for the first time awarded consultative status to a Latin-American non-governmental organization representing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The organization, the Brazilian national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Association (ABGLT), will now be able to present oral and written reports at UN meetings and organize events on UN premises.

The ABGLT has said that its primary goal will be to highlight injustices around the world faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, particularly in the 80 countries in the world have legislation that prohibits same sex behaviour.

UNAIDS welcomes the decision by ECOSOC and fully supports the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. UNAIDS works closely with such organizations in the AIDS response and will continue to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for people living with HIV and those more vulnerable to HIV infection.