The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) unveiled a set of six commemorative stamps to promote UN Free & Equal – a global UN campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality launched and led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The new stamps mark the first time the UN issued stamps with the theme celebrating the diversity of the LGBT community.
The set is available in English, French and German at UN Headquarters in New York, Geneva and Vienna. They can also be purchased online.
Interviewed by UN, Sergio Baradat, the artist who designed the stamps, said he was influenced by art from the first quarter of the 20th Century. Baradat, who is of Cuban background, explained that his style stems from his appreciation for French Art Deco and growing up in Miami.
“We live in a world where even though [developed] nations have embraced marriage equality [and] LBGT equality, we still have a far, far, far way to go, but we are making some strides,” Baradat was quoted as saying. “There are some countries in the world right now where not only are we not celebrated or respected, but we are beaten and killed. And I thought that it would be a wonderful opportunity using art, to use postage stamps as a vehicle – using art to change hearts and minds.”
The series is co-sponsored by the permanent missions of Argentina, Australia, Chile, El Salvador, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay, the delegation of the European Union, in addition to OHCHR and UNPA.
