United Nations to all LGBT people: You are not alone

by Craig Takeuchi on May 17th, 2013 at 2:29 PM

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There are 76 of them.

In 76 countries, having a same-sex relationship is illegal.

In seven countries, LGBT people can face the death penalty.

A message from Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was delivered by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on May 16 at the International Forum on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

The UN has issued a call for international governments to protect the rights of all LGBT people and to remove discriminatory laws.

To highlight this issue, the UN Human Rights Office released a video called "The Riddle", asking viewers to guess what they are talking about.

Perhaps one day, videos like these and days like today—the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia—will no longer be needed. Until then, the fight continues on.