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The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC)

The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) is an intergovernmental body of 44 Member States dedicated to the protection of the rights of LGBTI persons. Member States provide leadership by actively engaging in thematic groups and commit to working closely with LGBTI civil society organisations who meet regularly as part of thematic groups.

2016

Equal Rights Coalition’s History

The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) was founded in 2016 at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference in Montevideo, under the leadership of Uruguay and the Netherlands, and is dedicated to the protection of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons, and the promotion of inclusive development.

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The Co-Chairs

The ERC is currently co-chaired by the governments of Germany and Mexico, for the 2022-24 period. The State Co-Chairs are supported by Civil Society Co-Chairs, who for this term are LSVD for Germany and Fundación Arcoiris for Mexico.

View more about the ERC

Thematic areas

These thematic areas each have working groups which afford a regular opportunity for Member States, INGOs and civil society to engage in close dialogue.

Donor Coordination

Donor Coordination

Collaboration of governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to increase and improve the level of sustainable funding for the promotion and protection of LGBTI human rights.

View Donor Coordination
International Diplomacy

International Diplomacy

Coordination of Member States and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and communication in advancing LGBTI human rights and inclusive development.

View International Diplomacy
National Laws & Policies

National Laws & Policies

Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders working to encourage the development of progressive legislation and policies.

View National Laws & Policies
SDGs and 2030 Agenda

SDGs and 2030 Agenda

Coordinating on how the Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development can be used to benefit LGBTI communities across the globe.

View SDGs and 2030 Agenda

ERC conferences

Montevideo 2016

The Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference at which the ERC was formally launched, under the leadership of Uruguay and the Netherlands.

Vancouver 2018

Leaving No-One Behind: the ERC Global Conference on LGBTI Human Rights and Inclusive Development, which built on the progress of the ERC.

Buenos Aires 2022

An ERC conference to deliver on the ERC’s strategic priorities and discuss cross-cutting issues related to LGBTI rights.

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Webinar

Gender Recognition and the Anti-Gender Movement

30 October 2024

Webinar

Banning So-Called ‘Conversion Therapies’

09 April 2024

Webinar

Eliminating Harmful Practices against and Promoting Human Rights Protection of Intersex People

29 September 2023

Webinar

Using CEDAW to pursue the decriminalisation of LBTQ people: promising avenues and developments

12 June 2023

report

Buenos Aires 2022 Conference Report

30 November 2022

report

ERC Pre-Conference Report 2022

08 September 2022

Statement

Statement on the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition

10 July 2024

Statement

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2024: Declaration by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition

14 May 2024

Declaration

Equal Rights Coalition launches its Secretariat, hosted by ILGA World

08 May 2024

Statement

ERC statement on the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage and Homoparental Adoption in Greece

26 February 2024

Statement

Statement by the Equal Rights Coalition on the Russian Supreme Court judgment infringing LGBTIQ+ people’s basic human rights 

18 December 2023

Statement

ERC statement on the decriminalization of same-sex activity between men in Mauritius

17 October 2023