As the world observes the LGBT Pride Month, the United States of America today pledges to continue to stand up for the human rights of all people and LGBTS around the world.
In his remarks in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry says US joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.
He says forty-four years after Stonewall, the world sees incredible progress in the fight to advance the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBT people, both here in the United States and globally.
“Protecting universal human rights is at the very heart of our diplomacy.” – Secretary Kerry
He underlines that the US government remains committed to advancing human rights for all, including LGBT individuals.
LGBTs continue to face discrimination globally
According to Secretary Kerry, recent events underscore that one can’t be content with the progress we’ve made.
“There is still have a long way to go.” – Secretary Kerry
He says all over the world, people continue to be killed, arrested, and harassed simply because of who they are, or who they love.
There are LGBT people of all ages, all races and all faiths, citizens of every country on Earth, he pointed out.
He states that many places, LGBT people and their supporters are still attacked if they just attempt to stand up for their rights and participate in peaceful rallies or marches, or simply for being who they are.
“The United States condemns this violence and harassment.” – Secretary Kerry
He stresses that LGBT persons must be free to exercise their human rights including freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly and associationa without fear of reprisal.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms belong to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, Secretary Kerry said.
“The United States will continue to stand up for the human rights of all people, during this month and every month throughout the year, and we are proud to do so.” – Secretary Kerry
United States has taken historic strides to advance LGBT equality.
President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to violently attack someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in 2009. She added law enforcement officials in United States now have the tools to respond to gay-bashing and related violent acts wherever they occur in the United States.
President Obama issued a presidential memorandum extending, to the extent permissible under current law, federal benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of U.S. government employees in 2009.
The quest for equality for LGBT persons isn’t just an American challenge for must be the work of all peoples and all nations.
