OSI Signs Letter Calling U.S. to Account for Its Support of Anti-Gay Initiative at UN

The Open Society Institute joined 40 organizations in signing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calling for an explanation for U.S. denial of support for UN collaboration with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights organizations. In January 2006, in a drastic policy reversal, the United States backed an effort, initiated by Iran, to reject two LGBT organizations' applications for consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. "Consultative status" gives nongovernmental organizations the ability to influence discussions among UN member states.

The letter, and a similar letter signed by 30 members of the U.S. Congress, are available for download.