During the 2025 HLPF at the UN headquarters in New York, Best Chitsanupong, GATE’s Human Rights Officer, participated in the intensive two-week advocacy workshop, as a part of the Rainbow Advocacy Program (RAP) by The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (RFSL).
The program is a 13-month fellowship for LGBTIQ+ activists from Global South and East to affect change at home through UN advocacy. It combines human rights and the development frameworks, especially the Agenda 2030. The program is also supported by ILGA World, Sida and Outright International.
Participants gain hands-on advocacy experience by engaging with UN processes, learning from experts and peers, and by implementing an advocacy project in their constituencies.
As part of the workshop, she attended high-level meetings with Permanent Missions from Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Chile, and Australia, all members of the UN LGBTI Core Group.
During the workshop, Best had the opportunity to meet with UNDP representatives to address the human rights situations of trans and gender diverse communities, along with over 10 LGBTI activists from around the world.
She also took part in an event titled “Sustainable Futures: Navigating LGBTI+ Financing Challenges and Opportunities” organized by the LGBTI Stakeholder Group.
The program also fostered solidarity among global LGBTIQ+ advocates.