What can you do to promote and expand LGBTI rights around the world? A group of committed LGBTI advocates answered this question and discussed many other issues facing the LGBTI community during the first ever “Progress of Pride: LGBTI Rights” international web chat, hosted at the U.S. State Department. From the power of storytelling, to the importance of inclusion and diversity, this discussion demonstrates that progress can and does happen.
Here are five takeaways from the “Progress of Pride: LGBTI Rights” web chat.
1.Push for Inclusion
“Our ability to put a face to these issues, to talk about the underlying foundation – is an issue of equality. We’re talking about a community that has far too long been excluded from national dialogues, and who should no longer be expected to live in the shadows.” – Special Envoy Randy Berry, @RandyBerry United States Department of State
“Storytelling is just critical, it’s critical because it humanizes the issue and everybody can relate when it becomes something personal.” – Judy Shephard, @WyoJudyShepard, LGBTI Rights Advocate and Founding President of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
3. Connect with Activists Around the World
“We are part of a global community, and we’re all connected through our sheer humanity. It’s important as global citizens to support one another, to stand up for one another – fight for all of us to be seen as equal and deserving of dignity, respect, love, and acceptance.” -Michele Josue, @MicheleJosue, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director of “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” @MyFriendMatt
“We hold it to be a fundamental human value that people must be able to live as their authentic selves.” -Jason Marsden, @MattShepardFDN, President of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
“Things do change. And when they start changing, they can change really fast.” -Felix Bergsson, @FelixBergsson
For more information:
- Check out other DipNote stories on LGBTI issues.
- Watch the on-demand video of the LGBTI rights global webchat on the Progress of Pride.
- Read more about the United States’ effort to promote LGBTI rights at Humanrights.gov.
- See additional resources from the Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League, and Matthew Shepard Foundation on the global campaign to promote LGBTI rights.