Joint Statement by the Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, and Charge d’ Affaires of Lithuania and the US

The ambassadors of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the charge d’affaires of Lithuania and the United States have issued a joint statement regarding Pride Month.

We, the undersigned ambassadors of the following countries—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and charge d’affaires of Lithuania and the United States—celebrate Pride Month by reaffirming that everyone has inherent human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+). Sadly, LGBTQI+ people continue to experience harassment, assault, and discrimination just because of who they are or who they love.

We honor the successes of LGBTQI+ activists and their supporters this June as we commemorate Pride Month.

All of these people are striving to ensure that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, is given the full protection of the law. LGBTQI+ people, like everyone else, have the right to fully enjoy their human rights.

Ambassador Graeme Meehan, Australia

Ambassador Alison LeClaire, Canada

Ambassador Árni Þór Sigurðsson, Iceland

Ambassador Brian McElduff, Ireland

Charge d’Affaires Virginija Umbrasienė, Lithuania

Ambassador Sarah Walsh, New Zealand

Ambassador Malena Mård, Sweden

Ambassador Deborah Bronnert, United Kingdom

Charge d’Affaires Elizabeth Rood, United States