Hillary Clinton to be Honored by The Center

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center will honor Hillary Clinton at their April 20 dinner. Hillary will receive the Trailblazer Award at the event to be held at Cipriani on Wall Street.

For tickets and information, go here >>>>



Congratulations in advance, Mme. Secretary, on a well-deserved honor!

Hillary Clinton's Op-Ed on Pride Month and LGBT Rights

Keep fighting for a more equal America

By Hillary Clinton
Fri June 3, 2016

Hillary Clinton: We need to continue to fight discrimination at all levels of government
We must ensure America remains on the right side of history, she says
"Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers."

(CNN) As we enter Pride Month, and reflect on what has transpired in the last year, it's clear that America took some big steps forward in our ongoing fight for equality.
Marriage equality is the law of the land. The federal government and U.S. military's nondiscrimination policies now cover sexual orientation. Adoption by same-sex couples is finally legal in every state.

And in communities across the country, high schools are celebrating same-sex prom kings and queens. Transgender people have been living with greater openness and joy. There's no denying that our country is moving forward.

Now we need to make sure America remains on the right side of history. We're already seeing efforts to reverse the gains we've made in statehouses and courthouses across the country. Not to mention, there's an election going on -- and it would be all too easy for our next president to roll back much of the progress we have made.

Enter Donald Trump, who has pledged to do just that.

Read more and see video >>>>

Hillary Clinton Welcomes Pride Month with a Tweet

Since she has been tweeting regularly, Hillary has begun to display a real flair for the concise social medium.  Here is her kick-off to Pride Month on Twitter,

• Hillary Clinton ‏@HillaryClinton 

  Happy Pride Month—hoping this June is one for the history books. -H

 

Don't let the brevity of the message fool you.  Hillary has a long history of support for the LGBT community.  As New York Senator, she marched in parades.

As Secretary of State she heard the requests of LGBT Foreign Service members to extend domestic benefits to partners, promised to investigate the feasibility, found it doable, and within six months of setting foot at Foggy Bottom established those benefits.

Hillary Clinton Grants Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Foreign Service Personnel

June 18, 2009

Benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Foreign Service Employees

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 18, 2009

---

While a career in the Foreign Service is rewarding, the demands to serve our country require great commitment and sacrifice by Foreign Service employees and their families. As in American society, our Foreign Service families come in different configurations; all are part of the common fabric of our Post communities abroad. Family members often uproot their lives, endure hardship conditions, and put their own careers on hold to support our overseas missions. The Department of State acknowledges these vital contributions by providing certain family members with benefits, training, and allowances.
The same has not been true for domestic partners of Foreign Service employees.
Read more >>>>

By definition and job description, Foreign Service officials work in other countries some of which have been hostile to LGBT rights, so, as Secretary of State, Hillary brought the campaign for human rights of LGBT people into the international arena.

Video: Secretary Clinton’s Remarks at GLIFAA Event for LGBT Pride Month

June 27, 2011

Remarks at an Event Co-Hosted by the Department of State and Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) in celebration of LGBT Pride Month

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Dean Acheson Auditorium

Washington, DC

June 27, 2011

... in March, the United States led a major effort at the Human Rights Council in Geneva to get other countries to sign on in support of a statement on ending violence and criminalization based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the end, 85 countries signed the statement, 18 more than ever had signed onto any previous UN statement on LGBT rights.And in the very next session of the Human Rights Council, just two weeks ago after another major push by American diplomats in Geneva as well as our teams from IO, DRL, EUR, WHA, and other bureaus, the Council passed the first ever UN resolution recognizing the human rights of LGBT people worldwide. And it was especially meaningful that we had South Africa cosponsoring that resolution with us. And with that we took a huge step forward in our work to refute the hateful suggestion that LGBT people are somehow exempt from human rights protections, and we made it absolutely clear that, so far as the United States is concerned and our foreign policy, and our values – that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.
Read full speech and view video here >>>>

In December 2011 she delivered an historic address in Geneva commemorating Human Rights Day.

Video: Secretary Clinton’s Human Rights Day Speech

December 6, 2011

Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Palais des Nations

Geneva, Switzerland

December 6, 2011

... Being gay is not a Western invention; it is a human reality. And protecting the human rights of all people, gay or straight, is not something that only Western governments do. South Africa’s constitution, written in the aftermath of Apartheid, protects the equality of all citizens, including gay people. In Colombia and Argentina, the rights of gays are also legally protected. In Nepal, the supreme court has ruled that equal rights apply to LGBT citizens. The Government of Mongolia has committed to pursue new legislation that will tackle anti-gay discrimination.

SNIP

I know that the thoughts I’ve shared today involve questions on which opinions are still evolving. As it has happened so many times before, opinion will converge once again with the truth, the immutable truth, that all persons are created free and equal in dignity and rights. We are called once more to make real the words of the Universal Declaration. Let us answer that call. Let us be on the right side of history, for our people, our nations, and future generations, whose lives will be shaped by the work we do today. I come before you with great hope and confidence that no matter how long the road ahead, we will travel it successfully together.

Read the speech and view the video here >>>>

She has come to support marriage equality and recently applauded Ireland's ground-breaking vote with a laudatory tweet.

• Hillary Clinton ‏@HillaryClinton May 23

  Well done, Ireland. -H

 

While her tweets are compact,  her rationale is rooted in broad investigation and deeply held values.  She was honored for her work in 2012.

Hillary Clinton: Video Remarks for LGBT Pride Award

July 6, 2012

Video Remarks for LGBT Pride Award

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 6, 2012

---

 

A big hello to all of you there in London. I am sorry I can’t be there in person to join the festivities and to say “thank you” for this special award.I want to acknowledge all the people who are working hard to advance human rights in their own communities around the world—people whose names may not be well-known but who are making a difference every day.
They deserve our gratitude and our deep respect.
As I announced in Geneva last December, we’ve launched a Global Equality Fund—a fund that other governments, companies, and foundations can contribute to—that will provide support for civil society groups around the world that are working to protect the human rights of LGBT people.
Read more and view video here >>>>

Tweets from Hillary: #LoveMustWin #LoveCan'tWait

 

Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton  · 

Every loving couple & family deserves to be recognized & treated equally under the law across our nation. #LoveMustWin #LoveCantWait –H

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: New AR Law

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

Like IN law, AR bill goes beyond protecting religion, would permit unfair discrimination against #LGBT Americans. I urge Governor to veto.

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: New Indiana Law

 

 

 

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn't discriminate against ppl bc of who they love #LGBT http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/indiana-governor-mike-pence-anti-gay-bill_n_6947472.html …

 

HuffPost Politics

Indiana Governor Signs Anti-Gay 'Religious Freedom' Bill At Private...

WASHINGTON -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) quietly signed legislation Thursday that could legalize discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The Religious Freedom...

Emily's List's Thank You Note to Hillary

Emily's List has initiated a campaign to thank our Hillary for her Human Rights Campaign video endorsing marriage equality.  Perhaps you would like to sign.  See below.



You can sign Emily's List's thank you note to Hillary here.

On Monday, Hillary Clinton announced her support for marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples everywhere. As a former first lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hillary’s voice is a powerful one, and we thank her for her courage and leadership in standing behind same sex couples and their families.
Join us in saying “thank you” to Hillary Clinton for making her voice heard: Sign our letter today!

Hillary Clinton in Support of Gay Marriage

The Human Rights Campaign has released a video by Hillary Clinton in support of marriage equality. In part, the HRC states:

We are honored to have Secretary Clinton’s moving statement as part of our Americans for Marriage Equality series.  Now that she has left office and can speak publicly about the issue that is so important to all of us, Hillary shares her experience as Secretary and what she learned while representing our country around the world, and what she has come to believe.

A little over a year ago in Geneva. I told the nations of the world that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights. And that the United States would be a leader in defending those rights.
Now there were some countries that did not want to hear that. But I believe America is at its best when -- -- the freedom and dignity of every human being. That's who we are it's in our DNA.
And as secretary of state. I had the privilege to represent. That America.
I will never forget the young Tunisian who asked me after the revolution in his country. How America could teach his new democracy. To protect the rights of its LG BT citizens.
He saw America. As an example for the world and as a beacon of hope. That's what was in my mind as I engaged in some pretty tough conversations with foreign leaders.
Who did not accept that human rights apply to everyone. Gay and straight. When I directed our diplomats around the world.
To combat -- -- -- laws and reach out to the brave activists fighting on the front lines. And when I changed State Department policy to ensure that our LG BT families are treated more fairly. Traveling the world these past four years reaffirmed and -- my pride in our country in the ideals we stand for.
It also inspired and challenged to me. To -- -- -- about who we are in the values we represented the world. Now having left public office I want to share some of what I've learned.
And what I've come to believe. For America to continue leading in the world there is work we must do here at home. That means investing in our people our economy our national security.
It also means working every day as citizens. As communities as -- country. To live up to our highest ideals and continue.
Our long march to a more perfect union. LG BT Americans. Our our colleagues.
Our teachers our soldiers our friends. Our -- ones. And they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship.
That includes marriage. That's why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I supported personally and as a matter of policy and law.
Imbedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LG BT Americans and all Americans. Like so many others my personal views have been shaped over time by people I have known and loved. By my experience representing our nation on the world stage.
My devotion to law and human rights and the guiding principles of my faith. Marriage after all is a fundamental. Building block of our society.
A great joy and yes a great responsibility. A few years ago bill and I celebrated as our own daughter married the love of her life and I wish every parent that same joy. To deny the opportunity to any of our daughters and sons solely on the basis of who they are and who they love.
Is to deny them the chance. To live up to their own god given potential. Throughout our history as our nation has become even more dedicated.
To the protection of liberty and justice for all. More open to the contributions of all our citizens. It has also become stronger.
More competitive. More ready for the future. It benefits every American.
When we continue on that path. I know that many in our country still struggle to reconcile. The teachings of their religion the poll of their conscience.
The personal experiences they have in their families and communities. And people of goodwill and good faith will continue to view this issue differently. So I hope that as we discuss and debate whether it's around -- kitchen table or in the public square.
We do so in a spirit respect. And understanding. Conversations with our friends our families our congregations.
Our coworkers. Are opportunities to share our own reflections. And to invite others to share there's.
They give us a chance to find that common ground. And a path forward. For those of us who lived through the long years of the civil rights and women's rights movements.
The speed with which more and more people have come to embrace the dignity and equality. -- LG BT Americans has banned breath taking. And inspiring.
We see -- all around us every day in major cultural statements. And in quiet family moments. But the journey is far from over and therefore we must keep working to make our country freer and -- And to continue to inspire the -- the world puts in -- leadership. In doing so we will keep moving closer and closer to that more perfect union promised to us all. Thank you.

The transcript comes compliments of ABC News to which the web administration at HRC kindly pointed us

The Human Rights Day speech of December 6, 2011 to which she refers can be viewed and read here:   Video: Secretary Clinton’s Human Rights Day Speech, December 6, 2011

Hillary Clinton: Video Remarks for LGBT Pride Award

 forei

Video Remarks for LGBT Pride Award

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 6, 2012

---

A big hello to all of you there in London. I am sorry I can’t be there in person to join the festivities and to say “thank you” for this special award. I want to acknowledge all the people who are working hard to advance human rights in their own communities around the world—people whose names may not be well-known but who are making a difference every day. They deserve our gratitude and our deep respect.
As I announced in Geneva last December, we’ve launched a Global Equality Fund—a fund that other governments, companies, and foundations can contribute to—that will provide support for civil society groups around the world that are working to protect the human rights of LGBT people.
Last month, we launched a toolkit for all of our embassies to support them in their efforts to advance our comprehensive human rights policy. And our diplomatic missions are coming up with their own creative ideas—hosting regional workshops that bring together government and civil society; facilitating groundbreaking roundtable discussions with young people; launching Pride film festivals, and more.
Thank you once again for honoring me with this award, and for standing up for the rights of LGBT people everywhere. On behalf of all my colleagues at the State Department and throughout the United States government, happy pride.

Clintons Continue to Merit Kudos!

Those whose last name is Clinton continue to earn the nation's ear as well as respect and praise for their accomplishments. Here are a few testimonies to that effect.
First, we have this from none other than Chris Cillizza at WaPo.  (Wait!  Isn't this one of the "b*tch beer guys?)  Guess anyone can have a change of heart and mind.  Yes, they were hard.  Let us be receptive ... and circumspect.

Best year: The Clintons

By Chris Cillizza

When we gave Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton our "good year" in 2010, we thought she was headed toward a little bit of a letdown in 2011. Boy, were we wrong. (Mental note: Stop counting out the Clintons.)

Images: Reuters, AP

In a year in which almost anyone associated with the Obama administration turned to dross — Attorney General Eric Holder ("Fast and Furious"), Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (the economy), Energy Secretary Steven Chu (Solyndra), Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (Plan B) — Clinton managed to stay gold.
Read more >>>>

Then our spectacular HRC was named "Person of the Year" here for her advocacy of LGBT rights by the South Florida Gay News.

Person of the Year – Hillary Clinton

 

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 10:04 Written by Norm Kent

We celebrate Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as SFGN’s‘Person of the Year’ for her continued support and advocacy of LGBT rights, from her days as a young lawyer to her tenure as First Lady in the White House.Last week, on International Human Rights Day, addressing United Nations delegates meeting in Geneva, Clinton dedicated her speech to advancing internationally the rights of LGBT citizens around the globe. This historic talk was off the charts and over the top. Never in the history of the United States has such a high-ranking official made such an unbridled acceptance about the dignity of LGBT citizens around the globe. It was a bold, courageous, honorable global initiative. Decades hence, it will be recorded as such. For now, let’s appreciate that this moment was monumental.
Read more >>>>

Memo to LGBT Community: Hillary On Your Side - Long Before Yesterday

To: LGBT Community
From: Still4Hill
Date: December 8, 2011
Re: "...gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights." - HRC
I want to take a minute to remind everyone, gay and straight,  that HRC has been pro-gay rights for a very long time.  As NY Senator, she marched regularly in the Pride Parade.  As newly anointed SOS she met with State Department personnel, promised, when asked, to explore the possibility of providing benefits to domestic partners, did so forthwith, and granted those benefits not six months into her tenure.

Yesterday was not the first time she uttered those words quoted in the subject line.  She said them at a State Department event in June to tremendous approval.  Her words were (as always) posted here.  Instead of simply linking to them, I am re-posting the entire entry, with the awesome speech,  here tonight.  In case you missed it, here is your s/hero talking fairness and right (as in *what is right*), as well as rights.   She is your ally.

Remarks at an Event Co-Hosted by the Department of State and Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) in celebration of LGBT Pride Month

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Dean Acheson Auditorium

Washington, DC

June 27, 2011

---

(Applause.) Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you.
Well, this is an especially momentous and extraordinary time for us to meet for the State Department’s annual Pride celebration, the third event we’ve had here at State since I became Secretary, and the first following the historic vote in New York, which I think gives such visibility and credibility to everything that so many of you have done over so many years, because I look out at this audience and I see a lot of familiar faces of people who have been on the frontlines for many years and have worked so diligently and smartly for the progress that we are seeing.

I do want to recognize, in addition to John, Patrick, and Arturo, who have already been mentioned, Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Posner and USAID Deputy Director Steinberg and Deputy Assistant Secretary Baer and all who have led our efforts, including Counselor Mills, to protect the rights and well-being of LGBT people worldwide. And I thank Jon Tollefson and GLIFAA for being an invaluable partner in coordinating personnel and policy matters here at State. I’m very honored to receive this award. It really belongs to all of you and so many others in recognition of the work that we’ve had the opportunity to do together to advance equality around the world.

It is an inspiration, however, to keep working, because we have a long way to go toward a world that affords all people the respect, dignity, and equality that they are entitled to. So in that vein, I wanted to share just a few stories from the past year that I hope will keep us going because they are stories of perseverance and creativity by our Foreign Service officers and civil servants who are representing the United States.

In Honduras, as many of you know, anti-gay violence increased significantly in 2009 and 2010. More than 30 LGBT people were murdered and the investigations into those crimes appeared to be going nowhere. Then our Embassy team got involved. They publicly called on the Honduran Government to solve the murders, bring the perpetrators to justice, do more to protect all Hondurans from harm. Soon after, the government announced it was creating a taskforce to investigate and prevent hate crimes. And with the help of a United States prosecutor and detective, which our Embassy arranged to be made available to assist in this effort, we are making progress. And I particularly want to thank and recognize Assistant Secretary Valenzuela, because it was his leadership on this issue that really made a difference.
In Slovakia, the country’s first-ever Pride parade last year ended in violence. So this year, our Embassy staff worked overtime to help make the parade a success. They brought together more than 20 chiefs of mission from other nations to sign a public statement of support for the march. They hosted a respectful, productive debate on LGBT rights. And on the day of the parade, our ambassador marched in solidarity right next to the mayor of Bratislava.

And then there is the work that our Embassy team in Rome has been doing. Two weeks ago, they played an instrumental role in bringing Lady Gaga to Italy for a EuroPride concert. (Laughter.) Now, as many of you know, Lady Gaga is Italian American and a strong supporter of LGBT rights. And the organizers of the EuroPride event desperately wanted her to perform, and a letter to her from Ambassador Thorne was instrumental in sealing the deal. Over 1 million people attended the event, which included powerful words in support of equality and justice.
And then there is the tremendous work that our diplomats have been doing in regional and international institutions to strengthen a shared consensus about how governments should treat their citizens. And we’ve made the message very consistent and of a high priority. All people’s rights and dignity must be protected whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In March, President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff announced their shared support for the creation of a special rapporteur for LGBT rights within the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights. And we have our Bureau for Western Hemisphere Affairs and our permanent mission to the OAS to thank for that.

Also in March, the United States led a major effort at the Human Rights Council in Geneva to get other countries to sign on in support of a statement on ending violence and criminalization based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the end, 85 countries signed the statement, 18 more than ever had signed onto any previous UN statement on LGBT rights.

And in the very next session of the Human Rights Council, just two weeks ago after another major push by American diplomats in Geneva as well as our teams from IO, DRL, EUR, WHA, and other bureaus, the Council passed the first ever UN resolution recognizing the human rights of LGBT people worldwide. And it was especially meaningful that we had South Africa cosponsoring that resolution with us. And with that we took a huge step forward in our work to refute the hateful suggestion that LGBT people are somehow exempt from human rights protections, and we made it absolutely clear that, so far as the United States is concerned and our foreign policy, and our values - that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.

Now, it is not just momentous achievements like the Human Rights Council resolution that contribute to progress; it is the day-to-day work of our embassies and AID missions around the world to increase engagement around the issues affecting LGBT rights, especially in those places where people are at risk of violence, discrimination, or criminalization. That’s a concern that Johnnie Carson, our assistant secretary for African Affairs, who is currently on travel to Africa, raises regularly with his African leader counterparts; the op-ed that our ambassador to Barbados wrote in support of LGBT rights; the work that our Eric Schwartz, our assistant secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration is doing to lead the training of humanitarian workers to better protect and assist LGBT refugees and asylum seekers; the discussions that undersecretary Maria Otero led about the human rights of LGBT people in our first Global Issues Dialogue with Norway.

And so I want to applaud all of our diplomats and our development experts who continue to reach out to those advocating around the world in Uganda, Malawi, Russia, Turkey, China, and so many other places. Our colleagues are meeting with human rights activists, health authorities, youth activists, sex workers, the full range of people who are involved in and working to protect LGBT people’s rights and lives. This is people-to-people diplomacy at its best.

Now, all this progress is worth celebrating, but we cannot forget how much work lies ahead. Because let’s just face the facts: LGBT people in many places continue to endure threats, harassment, violence – including sexual violence – in public and private. They continue to flee their homes and nations and seek asylum because they are persecuted for being who they are. They continue to be targeted for trying to build public support through pride activities such as parades. And what we have long thought is becoming the case, and that is if we can convince people to speak out about their own personal experiences, particularly within their own families, it does begin to change the dialogue.

If you followed closely, which I’m sure all of you did, the debate in New York, one of the key votes that was switched at the end was a Republican senator from the Buffalo area who became convinced that it was just not any longer fair for him to see one group of his constituents as different from another. Senators stood up and talked about nieces and nephews and grandchildren and others who are very dear to them, and they don’t want them being objectified or discriminated against. And from their own personal connections and relationships, they began to make the larger connection with somebody else’s niece or nephew of grandchild and what that family must feel like.

So we have to continue to stand up for the rights and the well-being of LGBT people, and sometimes it’s hard when you’re in the middle of a long campaign to see where you’re getting. But I’ve always believed that we would make progress because we were on the right side of equality and justice. Life is getting better for people in many places, and it will continue to get better thanks to our work. So I ask all of you to look for ways to support those who are on the front lines of this movement, who are defending themselves and the people they care about with great courage and resilience. This is one of the most urgent and important human rights struggles of all times. It is not easy, but it is so rewarding.

Pride month is a time for gratitude, for joy, and of course, for pride – pride in ourselves, in our families and friends, in our colleagues, in our community. And at the State Department, there are so many reasons for pride, and the same is true for all of our foreign affairs agencies represented here, from AID to the Peace Corps and others, because we do have so many talented people, and we have so many who are LGBT serving our nation with honor, courage, and skill. And shortly, our military partners will be able to say the same.

So think of the amazing work that has been done in the last year or two, because it truly is a great tribute to those who have fought for these rights, for those who have sacrificed for them, and mostly for our country, because it is our country and our values that truly are being put at the forefront.

And so I say to all of you, thank you. You make our country proud and you make me proud as the Secretary of State to work with you and serve with you every day. But please don’t forget that for every proud moment we can share together, there are so many around the world who live in fear, who live in shame, who live in such difficult circumstances. And our work must continue until they have the same opportunity that all of you and so many other Americans have, which is to be recognized for who you are and to be given the respect that you so richly deserve.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

Originally posted June 27, 2001

HIllary Clinton's Meeting with LGBT Activists

Meeting with LGBT Activists and Supporters from the Diplomatic Corps

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Palais des Nations

Geneva, Switzerland

December 6, 2011

---

Well, I just wanted to stop by and very briefly express my appreciation to all of you for what you do every single day. I understand that you have traveled from 13 countries on four continents to be here, which I think speaks volumes about how important you believe these efforts are. And I want to thank Eileen and her team, who have been just stalwart in supporting our leadership and advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community. I want to thank Esther Brimmer, our Assistant Secretary for International Organizations back at the State Department. And is Ambassador Minty here? Is Ambassador Minty – where’s Ambassador Minty? Ambassador Minty, thank you, and I will publicly thank South Africa in my remarks, in my formal speech.
I want to thank – taking sort of personal privilege and national pride – some individual representatives here from both the American and the international NGO community – Ambassador Mike Guest, Mark Bromley, and Julie Dorf from the Council for Global Equality, our great partners and help coordinate a lot of other NGO voices. Mike, as you know, is a retired ambassador from our Foreign Service, and yet is still working in the service of public – the public interest. I want to thank John Fisher and all who worked with him here in Geneva to support the resolution in June.
And I want to thank each and every one of you here in Geneva for the great work that was done on the resolution, and also those of you who are out every single day making the case for dignity and human rights for all people. I know it is challenging and dangerous in many instances. But first and foremost, we want you to know that you are not alone, that you have a growing chorus of people who recognize this as a human rights issue for the 21^st century.
So without further ado, I will see you in the chamber, where I hope that the United States will continue to make the case, not just for those who are already convinced, but most importantly for the many leaders and our fellow citizens around the world who are not, and who we have to recognize their issues and concerns in order to keep evolving the consensus on behalf of LGBT rights for all.
Thank you. (Applause.)

My two cents here: MSNBC is saying she delivered her remarks "under orders from President Obama."  HRC has never required "orders" to make human rights statements. She was the first in the administration to provide benefits to domestic partners of employees. She held a town hall at DOS early in her tenure and was asked by GLIFAA if she would do this. She promised she would look innto it, she did, and in June of 2009 announced  the new policy.  Obama did not do that until after she did.

Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Belarus Civil Society Roundtable

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, centre back, meets with Belarus Civil Society representatives following an international conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, in Vilnius, Lithuania. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool)

Remarks at the Belarus Civil Society Roundtable

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Tolerance Center

Vilnius, Lithuania

December 6, 2011

---

SECRETARY CLINTON: Let me begin by saying what an honor it is for me and my colleagues to be meeting here with you today. There is probably no more difficult and no more important job than the one you are doing, which is to try to build democracy. I want to make just three short points, and then we want to hear from all of you.
First, we recognize that this has been a brutally difficult year for the people of Belarus. We know that every day there is a new arrest or a new restrictive law or further harassment against civil society and the media.
We continue to demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners. By our count, there are more than 50 individuals still in prison or under restrictive release, and I want to assure you that the United States will continue working for their freedom.
Second, we will continue, along with our partners in the European Union and other democracies, to take actions against the Lukashenko regime, including sanctions and travel bans. Until the government takes concrete steps to improve human rights and the conditions for democracy, they will not have improved relations with the United States.
And finally, although we cannot see Belarus 40 kilometers away from here, I want you to know that we have great confidence in your being on the right side of history. And your commitment is not only important to your country, but it is an inspiration to people fighting for their rights and for democracy around the world. In fact, I think your efforts are becoming quite well known. Groups, including Viasna 96, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and the Belarusian Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs, are serving as beacons of courage far beyond your country.
So again, I am honored to be with you, and now I look forward to hearing from all of you.

 Just an idle thought here: I wonder if high officials from other countries attend events like this.  Did other foreign ministers meet with the Afghan civil society and women leaders yesterday, or are these signature events requested by and arranged for HRC?  I believe the latter is the case and explains why almost nothing comes as a surprise to her.  In fact, it explains why she sometimes knows more about what is going on beneath the surface in a country than the leaders themselves do.  Her Doha speech last January at Forum For The Future stands as archetypal.  She knew of the frustration and unrest below the surface in Arab societies from panels and roundtables like this one, and she warned the elders that without reform they might be facing turmoil.  Tunisia's government,  protested since December 18 the month before, fell the following day. 
Every time she visits a country or attends a conference, Mme. Secretary takes the trouble to have meetings like this one, like a pretty nurse visiting the wards and checking vital signs.  It provides her with inside knowledge that informs the kind of relationship we have and aid we provide to given countries.  "Soft power" consists of a broad range of facilities at hand.  "Smart Power"  lies in applying these facilities wisely. 
I saw a joke someone offered somewhere:  There won't be any Nativity scenes in D.C. because they can't find a virgin or three wise men.  Well, maybe not, but there is a wise woman.  This wise woman is worth at least three wise men!

(Breaking:  Just in from the White House ~ in conjunction with Mme. Secretary's upcoming speech in Geneva this Human Rights Day,  the White House announces that a factor in deciding aid to foreign countries will be treatment of the LGBT community.  Now where do you suppose Mme. Secretary might hear about that?  You bet!  In these civil society meetings.)

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks at GLIFAA Event for LGBT Pride Month

Remarks at an Event Co-Hosted by the Department of State and Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) in celebration of LGBT Pride Month

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Dean Acheson Auditorium

Washington, DC

June 27, 2011

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(Applause.) Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

Well, this is an especially momentous and extraordinary time for us to meet for the State Department’s annual Pride celebration, the third event we’ve had here at State since I became Secretary, and the first following the historic vote in New York, which I think gives such visibility and credibility to everything that so many of you have done over so many years, because I look out at this audience and I see a lot of familiar faces of people who have been on the frontlines for many years and have worked so diligently and smartly for the progress that we are seeing.

I do want to recognize, in addition to John, Patrick, and Arturo, who have already been mentioned, Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Posner and USAID Deputy Director Steinberg and Deputy Assistant Secretary Baer and all who have led our efforts, including Counselor Mills, to protect the rights and well-being of LGBT people worldwide. And I thank Jon Tollefson and GLIFAA for being an invaluable partner in coordinating personnel and policy matters here at State. I’m very honored to receive this award. It really belongs to all of you and so many others in recognition of the work that we’ve had the opportunity to do together to advance equality around the world.

It is an inspiration, however, to keep working, because we have a long way to go toward a world that affords all people the respect, dignity, and equality that they are entitled to. So in that vein, I wanted to share just a few stories from the past year that I hope will keep us going because they are stories of perseverance and creativity by our Foreign Service officers and civil servants who are representing the United States.

In Honduras, as many of you know, anti-gay violence increased significantly in 2009 and 2010. More than 30 LGBT people were murdered and the investigations into those crimes appeared to be going nowhere. Then our Embassy team got involved. They publicly called on the Honduran Government to solve the murders, bring the perpetrators to justice, do more to protect all Hondurans from harm. Soon after, the government announced it was creating a taskforce to investigate and prevent hate crimes. And with the help of a United States prosecutor and detective, which our Embassy arranged to be made available to assist in this effort, we are making progress. And I particularly want to thank and recognize Assistant Secretary Valenzuela, because it was his leadership on this issue that really made a difference.

In Slovakia, the country’s first-ever Pride parade last year ended in violence. So this year, our Embassy staff worked overtime to help make the parade a success. They brought together more than 20 chiefs of mission from other nations to sign a public statement of support for the march. They hosted a respectful, productive debate on LGBT rights. And on the day of the parade, our ambassador marched in solidarity right next to the mayor of Bratislava.

And then there is the work that our Embassy team in Rome has been doing. Two weeks ago, they played an instrumental role in bringing Lady Gaga to Italy for a EuroPride concert. (Laughter.) Now, as many of you know, Lady Gaga is Italian American and a strong supporter of LGBT rights. And the organizers of the EuroPride event desperately wanted her to perform, and a letter to her from Ambassador Thorne was instrumental in sealing the deal. Over 1 million people attended the event, which included powerful words in support of equality and justice.

And then there is the tremendous work that our diplomats have been doing in regional and international institutions to strengthen a shared consensus about how governments should treat their citizens. And we’ve made the message very consistent and of a high priority. All people’s rights and dignity must be protected whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In March, President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff announced their shared support for the creation of a special rapporteur for LGBT rights within the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights. And we have our Bureau for Western Hemisphere Affairs and our permanent mission to the OAS to thank for that.

Also in March, the United States led a major effort at the Human Rights Council in Geneva to get other countries to sign on in support of a statement on ending violence and criminalization based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the end, 85 countries signed the statement, 18 more than ever had signed onto any previous UN statement on LGBT rights.

And in the very next session of the Human Rights Council, just two weeks ago after another major push by American diplomats in Geneva as well as our teams from IO, DRL, EUR, WHA, and other bureaus, the Council passed the first ever UN resolution recognizing the human rights of LGBT people worldwide. And it was especially meaningful that we had South Africa cosponsoring that resolution with us. And with that we took a huge step forward in our work to refute the hateful suggestion that LGBT people are somehow exempt from human rights protections, and we made it absolutely clear that, so far as the United States is concerned and our foreign policy, and our values - that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.

Now, it is not just momentous achievements like the Human Rights Council resolution that contribute to progress; it is the day-to-day work of our embassies and AID missions around the world to increase engagement around the issues affecting LGBT rights, especially in those places where people are at risk of violence, discrimination, or criminalization. That’s a concern that Johnnie Carson, our assistant secretary for African Affairs, who is currently on travel to Africa, raises regularly with his African leader counterparts; the op-ed that our ambassador to Barbados wrote in support of LGBT rights; the work that our Eric Schwartz, our assistant secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration is doing to lead the training of humanitarian workers to better protect and assist LGBT refugees and asylum seekers; the discussions that undersecretary Maria Otero led about the human rights of LGBT people in our first Global Issues Dialogue with Norway.

And so I want to applaud all of our diplomats and our development experts who continue to reach out to those advocating around the world in Uganda, Malawi, Russia, Turkey, China, and so many other places. Our colleagues are meeting with human rights activists, health authorities, youth activists, sex workers, the full range of people who are involved in and working to protect LGBT people’s rights and lives. This is people-to-people diplomacy at its best.

Now, all this progress is worth celebrating, but we cannot forget how much work lies ahead. Because let’s just face the facts: LGBT people in many places continue to endure threats, harassment, violence – including sexual violence – in public and private. They continue to flee their homes and nations and seek asylum because they are persecuted for being who they are. They continue to be targeted for trying to build public support through pride activities such as parades. And what we have long thought is becoming the case, and that is if we can convince people to speak out about their own personal experiences, particularly within their own families, it does begin to change the dialogue.

If you followed closely, which I’m sure all of you did, the debate in New York, one of the key votes that was switched at the end was a Republican senator from the Buffalo area who became convinced that it was just not any longer fair for him to see one group of his constituents as different from another. Senators stood up and talked about nieces and nephews and grandchildren and others who are very dear to them, and they don’t want them being objectified or discriminated against. And from their own personal connections and relationships, they began to make the larger connection with somebody else’s niece or nephew of grandchild and what that family must feel like.

So we have to continue to stand up for the rights and the well-being of LGBT people, and sometimes it’s hard when you’re in the middle of a long campaign to see where you’re getting. But I’ve always believed that we would make progress because we were on the right side of equality and justice. Life is getting better for people in many places, and it will continue to get better thanks to our work. So I ask all of you to look for ways to support those who are on the front lines of this movement, who are defending themselves and the people they care about with great courage and resilience. This is one of the most urgent and important human rights struggles of all times. It is not easy, but it is so rewarding.

Pride month is a time for gratitude, for joy, and of course, for pride – pride in ourselves, in our families and friends, in our colleagues, in our community. And at the State Department, there are so many reasons for pride, and the same is true for all of our foreign affairs agencies represented here, from AID to the Peace Corps and others, because we do have so many talented people, and we have so many who are LGBT serving our nation with honor, courage, and skill. And shortly, our military partners will be able to say the same.

So think of the amazing work that has been done in the last year or two, because it truly is a great tribute to those who have fought for these rights, for those who have sacrificed for them, and mostly for our country, because it is our country and our values that truly are being put at the forefront.

And so I say to all of you, thank you. You make our country proud and you make me proud as the Secretary of State to work with you and serve with you every day. But please don’t forget that for every proud moment we can share together, there are so many around the world who live in fear, who live in shame, who live in such difficult circumstances. And our work must continue until they have the same opportunity that all of you and so many other Americans have, which is to be recognized for who you are and to be given the respect that you so richly deserve.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)