U.N. urges nations to protect LGBT+ people amid coronavirus

NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The United Nations on Friday urged countries to protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when seeking health care during the pandemic, saying they may be hesitant to seek medical services and be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Members of the LGBT+ community with HIV or AIDS may have compromised immune systems or a higher chance of being homeless than the wider population, making social distancing and safe hygiene difficult, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

“LGBTI people are among the most vulnerable and marginalized in many societies, and among those most at risk from COVID-19,” Bachelet said.

“We know that efforts to tackle the pandemic will only work if everyone’s rights to life and health are protected.”…

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lgbt-trfn/u-n-urges-nations-to-protect-lgbt-people-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN21Z3AK