U.S. Embassy, Islamabad | Press Release | 26 June 2011

Embassy Islamabad Hosts GLBT Pride Celebration

Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland greets guests at GLBT Pride celebration on June 26, 2011.

Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland and members of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFFA) hosted Embassy Islamabad’s first ever gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Pride Celebration on June 26.  This gathering demonstrated continued U.S. Embassy support for human rights, including LGBT rights, inPakistan at a time when those rights are increasingly under attack from extremist elements throughout Pakistani society.

Over 75 people attended including Mission Officers, U.S. military representatives, foreign diplomats, and leaders of Pakistani LGBT advocacy groups. In formal remarks, the Chargé underscored President Obama’s May 31, 2011 GLBT Pride Proclamation that, “we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Addressing the Pakistani LGBT activists, the Chargé, while acknowledging that the struggle for GLBT rights in Pakistan is still beginning, said “I want to be clear: the U.S. Embassy is here to support you and stand by your side every step of the way.”

Source: U.S. Embassy, Islamabad