Talks at the United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan this week stalled as representatives from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Egypt, and the Vatican balked at language that could include support for LGBTQ+ women in the fight against global warming.

Countries at this year’s COP29 climate summit were slated to update a U.N. action plan that addressed inequities faced by women and would direct more financial support to them.

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The initiative, called the Lima Work Programme on Gender, has already been in place for 10 years and never encountered opposition. This year, the term “gender” has inspired a backlash among conservative representatives.

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The four conservative countries along with the Vatican are now objecting to the term over concerns that it could include transgender women, the BBC reports. They also want any references to gay women removed.

It’s been a working assumption at successive climate summits that climate changes places a greater burden on women than on men. By 2050, nearly 240 million more women and girls will face food insecurity caused by climate change compared to 131 million more men and boys, according to U.N. Women, who say women are more prone to disruption in their roles as caregivers and suffer from a lack of access to reproductive services during climate disasters.

New language submitted to the policy by African and European Union representatives stated women’s experiences with climate change can differ depending on their “gender, sex, age and race.”

Mwanahamisi Singano, director of policy for the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, told the BBC the representatives blocking the revised text “are very concerned they are code words to allow sexual expression.”

She said that during negotiations she attended, countries like Iran argued that such expression was illegal under their laws and therefore they wouldn’t allow its inclusion in the text.

One country negotiator said the objections were “part of a broader global backlash against women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights.”

A Vatican spokesperson would only say that the pursuit of text recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls was important.

“The Holy See hopes that consensus will be reached, with respect for the sensitivities of each participating State and in a language acceptable to all,” the spokesperson said.

“I was shocked when the Vatican raised their flag and opposed the human rights language,” said Sostina Takure, from the Christian charity ACT Alliance. “My heart shattered into a million pieces.”

The Vatican during Francis’ papacy has been more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community than in years past, allowing priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances and welcoming transgender people for baptism. The Vatican drew a line in support, however, in April with the publication of their “Dignitas Infinita” declaration, reiterating that marriage is between a man and a woman, and the Catholic Church’s opposition to changes in sex, gender theory and surrogate parenthood.

Homosexual behavior is outlawed to varying degrees in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt. The LGBTQ+ community is subject to growing legal attacks in Russia.

The assault on gender at COP29 comes just days before the summit’s conclusion.

“I think if things continue the way they are it is not looking good for women’s rights in the negotiations,” said Zahra Hdidou, senior climate adviser at ActionAid.

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