Diplomats for Equality releases statement for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
In commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Diplomats for Equality, which includes the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, and over 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, has released a statement of support.
“This year, in line with the IDAHOBIT theme, we stand ‘Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!’ – a powerful message as we continue to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the vulnerability of LGBTIQ+ persons,” the statement says.
“COVID-19 has exposed existing gaps of equality and exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, including bias and social stigma, discrimination, economic impact, the risk of violence and domestic parental violence, and it has reduced access to gender-affirming health services. We will continue to shed light on these and other injustices, and will continue advocating for everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love, to be protected and included in the global response to the pandemic.”
The statement goes on to say: “We are committed to promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. They must be accorded the same dignity, respect, and rights as all other citizens. We will continue to work through our Embassies and through International Organisations, including, where relevant, the UN, Council of Europe, European Institutions, the OSCE, the Organization of American States (OAS), Mercosur (Reunion de Altas Autoridades sobre Derechos Humanos) and the Commonwealth, to promote tolerance and non-discrimination against LGBTIQ+ persons and to address discriminatory laws, including those that criminalise homosexuality.”
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Kazakhstan also released a statement in solidarity with the LGBTQ community is Kazakhstan, stating: “On this day, we wish to mark our continued solidarity with members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community in Kazakhstan, and to raise awareness about the work that is still needed to combat all forms of discrimination.”
The statement goes on to say: “We encourage the Government of Kazakhstan to fulfill its commitments towards the promotion and protection of human rights of all Kazakhstanis, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and sex characteristics. We remain concerned about continued discrimination, harassment and violence faced by the members of the LGBTI community in Kazakhstan. We call on the authorities to take specific measures to improve legislation and its implementation at all levels, to ensure adequate protection against all forms of discrimination.”
