Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Equality New York Submit Joint Report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Violence and Discrimination to United Nations Expert
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 15, 2026 — Washington, DC
Today, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Equality New York submitted their comments to the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Their input will inform Mr. Reid’s report at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2026.
Informed by decades of experience fighting for the rights of LGBTQIA+, queer, and transgender people, EQNY and Woodhull submitted a compelling record of the unique challenges this community faces daily. The human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community have been increasingly under threat during the second Trump administration. These two organizations have been tirelessly fighting for LGBTQIA+ people and communities for decades and are looking forward to having their expertise considered by the UN Human Rights Council this Spring.
Ricci Levy, President & CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, states, “Violence against LBQ women is rooted in the policing of bodies, identities, and sexual autonomy, and it demands an intersectional human rights response. We are proud to collaborate with Equality NY on this submission, bringing together our shared commitment to centering lived experience and community expertise. By grounding this work in sexual freedom as a fundamental human right, we are amplifying voices that are too often erased from policy conversations. This report is a vital opportunity to turn truth into meaningful protection and accountability.”
Amanda Babine, Executive Director of Equality New York, states, “Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer women, along with Transgender women, have long been an afterthought when it comes to prioritization within the LGBTQ+ community. The impacts of violence and discrimination are compounded not just by their sexual orientation but also by their gender identity as a woman. This intersection creates a level of oppression that we believe should be explored. Equality New York strongly believes that the United Nations Human Rights Council should utilize the input from our statement, in partnership with Woodhull Foundation, to prioritize programming and policy to ensure the safety of our community.”
Contacts
Woodhull Freedom Foundation Media Relations
[email protected]
Stay connected
Find more services and information on the Woodhull Freedom Foundation website and follow on social media.
About Woodhull Freedom Foundation
Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to change laws, policies, and practices across a range of issues that deny or threaten people’s fundamental human right to sexual freedom. Founded in 2003 and named for Victoria Woodhull, the 19th-century feminist, activist, and suffragette who fought for women’s rights, the Foundation is the preeminent voice at the intersection of sexual rights and human rights, fighting against the tyranny of widespread sexual repression in America. To learn more, visit www.woodhullfoundation.org.
About Equality NY
Equality New York (EQNY) is a grassroots advocacy organization that advances the lives of all LGBTQI+ New Yorkers and their families. EQNY works towards advancing equality and justice for all New Yorkers and their families by using an ecological lens for implementing all policies, programs, and projects. EQNY believes all LGBTQI+ communities deserve an efficient and effective statewide voice to consistently build good relationships with the government and hold our elected officials accountable. To learn more, visit www.equalityny.org.
###