Multilateral negotiations within the United Nations system, especially in the field of international human rights, frequently involve heated debates among member States over the use of certain terminology. This paper will explore key discussions within this system concerning “gender”, “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” with a view to underscoring certain concerns regarding the usage of these terms. It is not the purpose of this paper to combat persons or institutions that promote such terminology internationally or nationally, but rather to stimulate dialogue about the usage of ambiguous terminology and its related implications for international human rights law. The paper is divided into three parts. Part I gives a brief summary of the U.N. system and legal anthropology contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Part II discusses key debates concerning the term “gender” from 1990 to 2011. Part III recounts important discussions concerning “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” from 2011 to 2016. Part IV offers some reflections on future challenges and possible approaches.