Macklemore and Lewis join UN gay rights campaign

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.S. hip hop artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have joined the U.N. Free and Equal Campaign to encourage greater respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky announced their support Tuesday.

Macklemore and Lewis are well-known for their song, "Same Love," which celebrates same-sex relationships, and quickly became an anthem for LGBT equality.

The U.N. Free & Equal Campaign seeks to raise awareness about homophobic and trans-gender-phobic violence and discrimination. It was launched by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay in Cape Town, South Africa last July at an event featuring Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

Other celebrity supporters include pop star Ricky Martin, South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly, and Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Gayly, Nov. 29 - 9:55 am