People across diverse backgrounds generally seek stability, opportunity, and full participation in society. Economic inclusion stands as a vital pathway toward achieving these shared goals. Since 2012, the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights has served as a global platform where governments, businesses, civil society, trade unions, and academics convene to advance this mission. The 14th edition recently concluded in Geneva, marking a significant moment for LGBTI representation in these discussions. n nAt a time when certain governments are undermining anti-discrimination commitments, the inclusion of marginalized voices at the forum reaffirms the importance of equity. ILGA World, led by UN Specialist Guillermo Ricalde, facilitated participation from activists in Kenya, the Philippines, and Nepal. Two side events brought together corporate leaders, union representatives, and human rights experts, with attendees frequently referencing ILGA’s research throughout the sessions. n nOne major takeaway was the impact of social justice movements—such as those advocating for racial equity, gender parity, and disability rights—on shaping inclusive workplace policies. These efforts have led to more accessible and diverse employment environments for women, LGBTI individuals, people of color, and persons with disabilities. By dedicating its opening session to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and featuring Indigenous and LGBTI speakers in the closing plenary, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights reinforced the foundational role of non-discrimination in global business practices. n nToni Gee Fernandez, Executive Director of Mujer LGBT, emphasized during the opening plenary that documenting real-world cases of workplace bias and converting them into policy guidance strengthens advocacy. Grounded data, she noted, is harder to ignore. This approach was central to a recent joint report by Mujer LGBT and ILGA World on enhancing economic opportunities for LGBTI communities in the Philippines, which informed broader dialogue at the event. n nDespite ongoing resistance, LGBTI rights are now firmly embedded in international human rights conversations. ILGA World, in partnership with Open For Business and supported by the UN Working Group and the SOGI Group of Friends, hosted a session connecting diplomats and activists from Kenya and the Philippines to explore strategies for economic integration. Mexico’s UN Ambassador, Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, opened the event, stressing the need to center marginalized groups in all economic inclusion discussions. n nFernanda Hopenhaym, a member of the UN Working Group, presented findings from a recent report on protecting LGBTI rights within business operations. Meanwhile, Ishmael Bahati of PEMA Kenya shared how grassroots economic initiatives intersect with climate resilience—such as eco-friendly waste management and solar-powered projects—demonstrating how interconnected struggles can yield collective progress. n nIn a historic move, a dedicated side event examined trade unions’ role in defending LGBTI workers. Organized by ILGA World and the Council of Global Unions’ LGBTI Coordinating Committee, it highlighted persistent challenges like discriminatory labor laws, employer resistance to unionization, and societal stigma. Manisha Dhakal of Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society pointed out knowledge gaps within political and labor institutions about LGBTI identities and issues. Jeffrey D. Boyd of the American Guild of Musical Artists acknowledged that while unions have been slow to embrace transgender and broader LGBTI inclusion, positive changes are underway. n
— News Original —n”Economic empowerment is for everyone: three takeaways from the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights”nNo matter our walks of life, most people want similar things: accessing opportunities to build stable lives for themselves and their loved ones, and the possibility to fully participate in their communities. n nEconomic inclusion is a fundamental principle that can help us all move closer to our goals. Since 2012, the United Nations have provided a space for governments, international organisations, business, civil society, trade unions, communities, lawyers, and academia to come together and discuss how to get there: the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. n nThe 14th edition of the Forum has just concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, and LGBTI voices were present like never before. And rightfully so: this is a time when reactionary governments choose to weaponise their duty not to discriminate against entire communities that they have historically marginalised. n nBut we all know better on our path to shared prosperity: with our seat at the table, LGBTI people continue to join civil society movements and all those who make the case for equality — a value that both guides us and, as experts know very well, also makes for better economic outcomes. n nILGA World —with coordination led by its UN Specialist, Guillermo Ricalde— successfully brought activists from Kenya, the Philippines, and Nepal to participate in the Forum. We also brought together business, trade unions, and human rights experts in two side events, and participants repeatedly quoted our work and data throughout the forum. n nHere are our three main takeaways from this year’s United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. n nPanellists of the Opening Session of the Forum pose on the stage of the Assembly Hall at the Palais de Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. n nMovements for racial justice, gender equality and disability rights have inspired inclusive business practices, and anti-discrimination laws, policies, and initiatives in many jurisdictions. n nThanks to these developments, everyone — including women, LGBTI people, persons with disabilities, and racialised people — has enjoyed more inclusive, accessible, diverse, and representative workplaces. n nBy dedicating the opening session of the Forum to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and including both Indigenous and LGBTI voices in the closing plenary, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights has made a clear statement, inviting States and all institutions to recommit to the anti-discrimination principles that ground the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the everyday experiences of countless people around the world. n n“One of the most effective strategies for us has been documenting real cases of workplace discrimination and translating these into policy recommendations, because data anchored in lived realities is difficult to dismiss,” said Mujer LGBT Executive Director Toni Gee Fernandez during the opening plenary, discussing how grassroots organisations are responding to the current backlash. n nMujer LGBT has recently worked with ILGA World in a report on economic empowerment and diversity and inclusion of LGBTI people in business in the Philippines, and we were proud to support their director’s participation in such a relevant global forum. n nFifty years ago, when LGBTI movements started to connect across borders, the visibility and achievements that our communities have obtained seemed unthinkable. n nAnd yet, despite the violent backlash we are facing, our lives are now front and centre in the global human rights dialogue, alongside other, more long-standing civil society movements. n nBeyond the opening and closing sessions, we made sure that LGBTI people’s experiences could be heard throughout the UN Forum for Business and Human Rights and addressed within the context of meaningful economic empowerment for all. n nTogether with Open For Business and co-sponsored by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the SOGI Group of Friends, we brought together diplomats and LGBTI activists from the Philippines and Kenya to address civil society and business strategies towards better economic inclusion for our communities. n nAmbassador Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, delivered the opening remarks, emphasising the importance of keeping LGBTI people and other marginalised communities at the centre of every discussion on business inclusion. n nFernanda Hopenhaym, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, also addressed the audience, sharing key findings from one of the Group’s most recent thematic reports: Protecting and respecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the context of business activities. n nAmbassador Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, delivering the opening remarks at ILGA World’s side event in Room XV at the Palais de Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. n nBringing concrete examples of practices from our grassroots organisations, PEMA Kenya Executive Director Ishmael Bahati and Mujer LGBT Executive Director Toni Gee Fernandez raised the voices of their communities, narrating challenges to access entrepreneurship and decent work and sharing best practices forward. n nIn particular, PEMA Kenya has strongly focused on the intersection between economic empowerment of grassroots communities and their resistance to the climate emergency. This meant engaging employers and land owners in dialogues, sharing skills with community members, and organising waste management, eco-friendly and solar-powered activities. n nOnce again, examples from the ground show us that all struggles are interconnected, and that we are in this together! n nIn a first for the Forum, a side event looked at the role of trade unions in advancing the protection and respect of the rights of LGBTI persons in business activities. Convened by ILGA World and the Council of Global Unions’ LGBTI Coordinating Committee, the event brought together trade unions, civil society organisations, and businesses. n nRestrictive labour laws, anti-union practices by employers and governments, and the broader criminalisation or stigmatisation of LGBTI people still pose significant barriers in organising and representing LGBTI workers. Manisha Dhakal, Executive Director of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), Nepal’s pioneering LGBTIQA+ rights organisation, highlighted during her intervention that LGBTI people in Nepal continue to face discrimination based on gender expression and gender stereotyping. n n“There are major knowledge gaps. Political parties and institutions, including labour unions, don’t even know the terminology of the LGBTI spectrum or the issues the community is facing.” Jeffrey D. Boyd, National Executive Director of the American Guild of Musical Artists and Co-Chair of the Council of Global Unions (CGU) LGBTI Coordinating Committee, also explained that although trade unions have been slow to include trans workers and to broaden their focus toward LGBTI communities, progress is being made.