National LGBTQ Task Force celebrates International Women’s Day by joining UN call for acceleration of gender equality

Washington DC, March 8, 2016 — The National LGBTQ Task Force is celebrating International Women’s Day 2016 by joining the United Nation’s call for the acceleration of gender equality.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, and the progress that has been made toward gender equality here and across the globe, it’s vital that we intensify all efforts for full equality here at home. As we have seen from the United States Supreme Court to state houses across the nation, fundamental rights are under attack from the opponents of equality — from voting rights to reproductive rights, health and justice. This attack includes the manipulation of faith as a ‘fig leaf’ for the imposition by law of discrimination based on beliefs, views and prejudices. This tactic is also being exported abroad. We must aggressively work to stem the exportation of transphobia, homophobia and sexism. The United Nation’s has a vital role to play. And it simply won’t happen without the United States government’s continued leadership both here at home and through diplomacy and international aid. We can end gender inequality everywhere and we must work harder, faster and in partnership,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

By 2030, the United Nations has set goals that include the:

* Ending of all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
* Elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
* Elimination of all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

-30-