Secretary Hillary Clinton accepts the World LGBT Award from World Pride

Secretary Clinton Delivers a Video Message for Pride Month

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers a video message for Pride Month. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/06/192136.htm.

Pride March Support Statement by Ambassador John F. Tefft

March 2012- As Ambassador of the United States of America in Kyiv, I would like to express my support and the support of my country to all those who will participate in the first ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride March in Ukraine on May 20, 2012.  It saddens me to note that in many parts of the world, members of the LGBT community continue to suffer violence, discrimination, or persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  As Secretary of State Clinton states, “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” and by embracing diversity, promoting tolerance and fighting prejudice and discrimination, we strive to build a world where everyone can enjoy his or her fundamental human rights.

I would like to convey my appreciation to the organizers of the Kyiv Pride March, and I hope that many people, both gay and straight, will join us in this cause.  I wish everyone a successful and peaceful celebration.

Watch President Obama’s Remarks at White House LGBT Pride Celebration

Marking Progress for LGBT Americans in Foreign Affairs

photo: US Department of State

Repost from Dipnote (The State Department Blog)

Curtis Ried is a Political Advisor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. For more information on the work of the U.S. Mission to the UN, visit www.usun.state.gov and follow Ambassador Rice on Twitter and Facebook.

Life at the State Department has changed immeasurably for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees since the founding of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) in 1992. As a member of GLIFAA and a Foreign Service Officer, I deeply appreciate the dedication of the Obama Administration to ensuring that LGBT members of the Foreign Service enjoy many more equal benefits for our partners and families than was the case until just a few years ago. On a broader level, the central role this Administration has given to the promotion of human rights for LGBT persons around the world is a tremendous source of pride for me and for my fellow LGBT colleagues. Continue reading at Dipnote

Human Rights First calls for the respect of fundamental freedoms of assembly and association

Repost from Human Rights First | by Innokenty Grekov

Human Rights First calls on governments to abide by commitments to respect the fundamental freedoms of assembly and association and to take adequate measures to ensure security and protection for all. However, many States have failed to fully ensure these fundamental freedoms, and a number of governments actively suppress them. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals have been particularly affected by this suppression of rights and continue the uphill struggle for the right to freedom of assembly and association.

Gay pride parades offer an opportunity for many LGBTI individuals to exercise the right to freedom of expression. Historically, gay pride parades have come to symbolize the resistance to intolerance and bigotry that surround LGBTI people in their daily lives. Restricting these peaceful demonstrations is particularly damaging and unacceptable.