The United States has withdrawn from the United Nations LGBTI Core Group, a coalition of nations dedicated to advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ and intersex individuals worldwide. The departure, which occurred on February 14, was confirmed by a State Department spokesperson on Saturday. The spokesperson, however, did not disclose the exact date of the withdrawal.
Established in 2008, the UN LGBTI Core Group is an informal, cross-regional assembly of UN member states committed to promoting universal respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons. The group is co-chaired by Chile and the Netherlands and includes members such as Albania, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, among others. Observers include the European Union, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Outright International.
The group’s primary objectives are to raise awareness about LGBTI issues, contribute to multilateral work and negotiations at the UN, and engage in constructive dialogue with non-member states and stakeholders.
The U.S. joined the Core Group during the final year of the George W. Bush administration. Since then, promoting LGBTQ+ and intersex rights has been a significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy. In September 2024, former First Lady Jill Biden addressed a Core Group event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Similarly, in 2016, then-Vice President Joe Biden spoke at a Core Group event coinciding with the UN General Assembly.
The recent withdrawal aligns with a broader shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has focused on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and “gender ideology” from federal policies. This approach has led to tensions with UN agencies, including UNICEF and UN Women, over DEI-related funding and programming.
The departure from the UN LGBTI Core Group has raised concerns among international human rights advocates. The group has been instrumental in advancing resolutions and initiatives aimed at protecting LGBTI individuals from violence and discrimination. The U.S. withdrawal may impact future collaborative efforts to address global LGBTI rights issues.
As of now, the State Department has not provided further details regarding the decision to withdraw or its implications for future U.S. engagement on LGBTI rights at the international level.
The international community continues to monitor the situation, with hopes that the U.S. will maintain its commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ and intersex individuals worldwide.
For more information on the UN LGBTI Core Group and its initiatives, visit their official website at unlgbticoregroup.org.
