The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) was granted
consultative status as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the
United Nations Economic and Social Council on March 29, 1993.  Their
status will allow ILGA to sumbmit papers to the UN on issues
concerning the worldwide gay and lesbian community.

     The organization's application had been deferred from
consideration two years ago. There was strong opposition from some
member states -- mostly Moslem countries.  These countries were
persuaded to abstain rather than vote against ILGA's application.  (My
understanding is that a rejected application cannot be reconsidered
and therefore ILGA had been working very strongly during the past two
years to assure that this would not happen.)

     ILGA had requested a Category II status which would have allowed
it to speak before the group, its present status allows it to submit
written documents only.

     The New York City Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center
joined ILGA in 1990 and will host the group's 1994 meeting in NYC at
the time of the Gay Games and the Stonewall 25 celebration.
Jack Carroll