United Nations Postal Administration issues colourful series celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as part of Free & Equal campaign

The United Nations Postal Administration has released six new postage stamps promoting equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The colourful stamps by artist and UNPA art director Sergio Baradat are also meant to celebrate the diversity of the gay community and marks the first time the global body’s post office has issued stamps with an LGBT theme.

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The stamps were unveiled in a ceremony at the UN general assembly building that included a performance by the New York Gay Men’s Chorus.

“We need to change attitudes to one of acceptance,” said Stephen Cutts, UN assistant secretary general.

The stamps support the UN human rights office’s Free & Equal campaign, which aims to promote fair treatment of the LGBT community.

Charles Radcliffe, chief of the global issues section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said there have been advances in human rights for members of the LGBT community, but more must be done because hate crimes are still too common and homosexuality is still criminalised in some countries.

The first United Nations stamps were issued in US dollar denominations on United Nations Day, 24 October 1951. Besides human rights, stamp themes have included peace, the environment and endangered species.