After decades during which the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”were rarely uttered in formal, intergovernmental meetings at the UnitedNations, a debate is unfolding at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on therights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The discussions at theCouncil have focused political attention on discriminatory laws and practicesat the national level and on the obligations of States under international humanrights law to address these through legislative and other measures.