"This June, we the undersigned diplomatic missions in India’s capital, reaffirm our countries’ strong commitment to equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) citizens.
At home, and increasingly abroad, many countries support, organize, or participate in events to celebrate the diversity of their citizens, to reduce discrimination and misinformation about the LGBTI community, to build on individual and collective achievements, and to highlight what needs to be done to ensure fundamental human dignity of all individuals and full equality for all human beings regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Many countries organize marches, lectures, and events to celebrate in the month of June, sometimes called "Pride Month" in honor of the Stonewall Riots that are described as the start of the LGBTI movement in the United States. Events are as diverse as the countries that host them, and every country celebrates diversity in its own way, and at various times throughout the year. For example on international day against homophobia biphobia and transphobia (IDAHOT) on May 17 and Human Rights Day on December 10, there are a wide range of national initiatives celebrating diversity and reaffirming the equal rights of all citizens. Today, LGBTI Pride celebrations are held in over 120 cities around the world in June, and include parades, marches, film festivals, speeches, dances, picnics, and countless other social events.
Planned events in New Delhi include, among others, the lighting of embassies in the iconic colors of the LGBTI rainbow flag, hoisting the rainbow flag on the embassies’ flagpoles, LGBTI film screenings, lectures, and other social functions.
We believe these diverse celebrations will foster a sense of community and belonging, and help to advance human rights for all throughout the world."
The list of countries that signed joint statement are:
| · Embassy of Argentina · Australian High Commission · Austrian Embassy · Embassy of Brazil · British High Commission · High Commission of Canada · Embassy of Chile · Embassy of Colombia · Embassy of Costa Rica · Embassy of Croatia · Embassy of the Czech Republic · Embassy of Denmark · Embassy of Ecuador · Delegation of the European Union | · Embassy of Finland · Embassy of France · Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany · Embassy of Greece · Embassy of Ireland · Embassy of Italy · Embassy of Japan · Embassy of Luxembourg · Embassy of Mexico · Embassy of the Netherlands · Embassy of Spain · Embassy of Sweden · Embassy of the United States of America |
