Hunter College Human Rights students from the Model United Nations and International Humanitarian Law classes, taught by Roosevelt House faculty associate, Dr. Pamela Falk, participated in a Human Rights Day event celebrating family diversity on December 10 at United Nations  Headquarters in New York, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, El Salvador, France, Israel, Japan, Montenegro, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, the United States, the Delegation of the European Union, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC).

After singer-songwriter Mary Lambert sang “She Keeps Me Warm,”  junior Gili Loew said, “It was empowering to be a part of this incredible event, which helped spread awareness of the struggles of the LGBT community,  in order to live as a family recognized and protected by law.’ Sophomore Chamika Wanigatunga, senior Gabriella Cook-Francis, junior Jung-Rae Jang, and former Head Delegate Jesus Perez said that the event brought the LGBT issues to international attention.

“Hate cannot withstand the force of love,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the group.

Junior Nickolas Ask spoke afterward with news anchor Thomas Roberts, who  moderated the event; Ask said the program underscored “the fight against bullying and discrimination.”