WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that the Department of State “joins the world in celebrating LGBT Pride Month” and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBT persons around the globe.
In a statement issued just one day after addressing the annual Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) Pride Celebration, Kerry said in a statement, “we have made marked progress in tearing down the unjust and unfair barriers that have prevented the full realization of the human rights of LGBT persons.”
“We know there is more to do, but here, the arc of history is bending towards justice,” he said.
On Thursday, Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride Event, noting the State Departments accomplishments for LGBT people under his tenure, praising Robyn McCutcheon, the first out transgender foreign service officer as well as Russian journalist Masha Gessen for her work exposing human rights abuses against LGBT people.
“No matter where you are, no matter who you love, we stand with you. And that’s what pride means, and that’s what drives us today,” said Kerry. “The journey isn’t complete, the march isn’t over, the promise isn’t perfected. But we will march on together.”
Kerry is the first Secretary of State to publicly support marriage equality while in office.
Watch his remarks from Thursday below, or read the transcript here. (Kerry’s Pride Month statement is here.)
For Kerry’s statement on LGBT Pride Month, click here →
Following is Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement commemorating LGBT Pride Month, issued June 20, 2014.
20 June 2014
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
June 20, 2014STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY
2014 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month
The Department of State joins the world in celebrating LGBT Pride Month and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBT persons around the globe.
In the United States, we have made marked progress in tearing down the unjust and unfair barriers that have prevented the full realization of the human rights of LGBT persons. We know there is more to do, but here, the arc of history is bending towards justice.
I was proud to join my colleagues at our Embassy in London last August to announce that, going forward, same-sex spouses who applied for visas would have their applications considered in the same manner as those of opposite-sex spouses.
And just this week, President Obama announced his intention to sign an Executive Order banning federal contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In many places around the world, however, trends are running in the opposite direction. LGBT individuals and their allies are harassed, arrested, and even killed because of who they are and the work they do. Governments are enacting laws that discriminate against LGBT individuals and their allies and restrict their fundamental human rights.
The United States strongly condemns these discriminatory acts and legislation and is working every day, both here in Washington and at our embassies and consulates around the world, to ensure that all persons can exercise their human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
We raise the human rights of LGBT persons both publicly and privately, and we support civil society organizations who are working on the frontlines to ensure equality and dignity for all. Through the Global Equality Fund – a partnership supported by 14 like-minded governments, foundations, corporations and non-profit organizations – the Department of State has allocated more than $9 million for both emergency and long term LGBT-related programming in more than 50 countries worldwide.
This important work, done in conjunction with allies from civil society, faith communities, the private sector and other governments, is central to our foreign policy.
So, to the activists, allies, and LGBT individuals on the front lines combatting discrimination, you have a partner in the United States. I stand with you and I wish you safe and happy 2014 Pride celebrations.
For a transcript of Kerry’s remarks at the annual Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) Pride Celebration, click here →