Saturday, October 24, 2015

Human Rights Minister: It is ‘extraordinary’ that diplomats couldn’t be gay until 1991

Joseph Patrick McCormick, pinknews.co.uk, October 22

Baroness Anelay image from
Excerpt:

Foreign Office Minister Baroness Anelay made an impassioned address at the PinkNews Awards, saying “every human life is precious – none worth more than another”. ...
[From the address:] Just last month, I attended a meeting of the LGB and T Core Group at the UN – a group of like-minded countries dedicated to working for full equality for LGB and T people. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke movingly, and I would like to share with you the inspiring words he used.
He said: “When the human rights of LGBT people are abused, all of us are diminished. Every human life is precious – none is worth more than another. We will never shy away from protecting the most marginalized and vulnerable people.”
I agree wholeheartedly. Silence is an affront to those who suffer discrimination and violence. That is why I can pledge that Britain will continue to use its diplomatic muscle to prevent silence – whether at the United Nations or anywhere else.
As well as challenging other governments, another important part of our approach lies in our public diplomacy work – reaching out to communities direct; changing perceptions; and demonstrating solidarity with civil society activists, such as Stonewall, the Kaleidoscope Trust and the Human Dignity Trust. I would like to pay particular tribute to their work.
By way of example, over 5 million people in 135 countries viewed a film campaign spearheaded by the British Council and our Embassies that promoted tolerance of same sex relations. ...

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