A celebration of LGBT human rights will include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ricky Martin, South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and human rights defenders at the UN in New York City on Tuesday.
The panel discussion, Leadership in the Fight Against Homophobia, is organized by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch, and UN member states in recognition of Human Rights Day. It is the only high profile UN event specifically focused on LGBT human rights, according to organizers.
This year's event follows more historic progress at the UN. The UN General Assembly last month passed a resolution against extrajudicial executions inclusive of sexual orientation and, for the first time, gender identity. Last year, the UN Human Rights Council passed the first resolution endorsing LGBT rights inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.
In addition to remarks from officials and a musical performance, the program features a conversation with LGBT human rights defenders including Blas Radi of Argentina, Olena Shevchenko of Ukraine, and Gift Trapence of Malawi. Archbishop Desmond Tutu will deliver a video message.
The event will be streamed live on UN Web TV at 3:15 p.m. Watch below.