The United Nations Security Council has heard members of the lesbian, gay and transgender community are being targeted "by extremist persecution and cruel acts in Iraq and Syria".

The United States Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, addressed the first-ever Security Council meeting on LGBT rights, co-hosted by Chile.

Around the world, the UN has documented thousands of cases of individuals killed or injured in brutal attacks because they are LGBT, or perceived to be LGBT.

Ms Power said: "ISIL does not try to hide its crimes against LGBT persons - it broadcasts them for all the world to see".

"Many of us have seen the videos. ISIL parading a man through the streets and beating him - for being gay. ISIL marching men to the tops of buildings and throwing them to their deaths - for being gay".

Ms Power also referenced one incident, allegedly from Syria, where a man accused of having a gay affair was thrown off the building of a roof.

He survived the fall, but was then stoned to death by a mob that was waiting for him below.

She added: "Kids in the crowd were reportedly encouraged to grab stones and take part".

"No religious beliefs justify throwing individuals off of buildings or stoning them to death because of who they love".

"Laws are used to criminalize LGBT persons, rather than to prosecute the people who violate their rights. That must change".

 Chad and Angola did not attend

"That change begins by working to stop attacks against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. And by taking steps to ensure that those who commit these heinous and brutal crimes are held accountable, whether the perpetrators belong to ISIL or police forces or are members of our own communities", she added.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) says 13 members of the Security Council were present - only Chad and Angola were not.

And that of the Security Council members, all but Russia, China, Malaysia and Nigeria did not speak.

The executive director of the IGLHRC, Jessica Stern, urged world governments to act urgently to protect people targeted by extremist persecution.

Ms Stern said: "Given the extreme and constant forms of attack against LGBTI people we think it's of the utmost importance for the Security Council to act urgently".

During the session, two men targeted by the Islamic State - one each from Iraq and Syria - also shared their experiences with the Security Council.