Russia’s failed bid to curtail same-sex couple benefits at the United Nations was a complicated issue, challenging both LGBTI rights and the authority of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to establish administrative policies at the U.N.
Now, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex advocates and allies wonder if Ban’s authority will extend to U.N. mobility policy, currently under review — and another area LGBTI staff members feel excludes same-sex spouses in its present form.
“I don't think the support for same-sex benefits was for the secretary-general a stand on [gay rights], but more on his authority and ability to issue instruction,” said Alfonso Nam, president of U.N. Globe, the staff group representing LGBTI staff members of the U.N. system and its peacekeeping operations.