Map of the world plots LGBT rights

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A global gay rights federation is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an updated map of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans rights across the globe.

Founded in 1978, the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) is a federation of more than 600 groups in 90 countries campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) rights.

“A print version of the map will be sent to all members of ILGA in the following weeks,” a spokesperson said.

“People or groups who are interested in distributing this map can order additional copies at [email protected] before April 20th.

“We are now preparing the 2008 version of the state-sponsored Homophobia ILGA report which shall be ready for May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia.”

To see the map click here.

ILGA has had some notable successes in its 30 years of campaigning, among them getting the World Health Organisation to drop homosexuality from its list of illnesses.

However, it caused controversy in 1993 when it became the first lesbian and gay rights organisation to gain “consultative status” at the United Nations.

A year later ILGA’s connections with paedophile groups such as the “North American Man Boy Love Association” (NAMBLA) were exploited by right-wing politicians and led to it losing its status.

ILGA applied to have its consultative status reinstated on several occasions, highlighting the expulsion of NAMBLA from the federation in 1994 and their stated commitments to child protection and against paedophilia.

In December 2006 the European branch of ILGA did gain consultative status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN.