Professor Laurence R. Helfer traced the evolution of
international lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
rights when he addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council
in March 2012. At a second Spring event, Helfer, whose scholarly
focus includes the interdisciplinary analysis of international
law and institutions as well as human rights, discussed
proposals to reform the European Court of Human Rights. Both
appearances followed Helfer’s 2011 appointment as the inaugural
Jacob L. Martin Fellow in the U.S. State Department’s Office of
the Legal Adviser; in that capacity, Helfer briefed government
attorneys on global trends relating to LGBT rights, including
national and international lawmaking and litigation relating to
sexual orientation and human rights. International law and LGBT
rights: a “sea change” Helfer, the Harry R. Chadwick, Sr.
Professor of Law and co-director of the Center for International
and Comparative Law, offered context for the historic U.N.
gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. “Fo