Hinsegin dagar í Reykjavík - aug 2018, Qupperneq 49

The United States and Iceland:
LGBTI Rights as a
Common Value
Message from the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé
d’Affaires Jill Esposito to the People of Iceland
and visitors to Reykjavik Pride 2018
I am delighted to extend my greetings to all the
participants in Reykjavik Pride. The U.S. Embassy is
a proud supporter of this festival and of the LGBTI
community.

This year, the U.S. Embassy will march in the Reykjavik
Pride Parade for the eighth consecutive year with our
families and friends. Our presence is a demonstration
that Americans and Icelanders share many values,
including the belief that all persons should live with
dignity.

I recall the joy that filled downtown Reykjavik on that
sunny August day as we marched in last year’s Pride
Parade. I appreciated all the words of support that
Icelanders gave our Embassy team along the way. We
look forward to again taking part in the celebration.

We will be marching because LGBTI rights are part of
the State Department’s human rights mission. The
United States and Iceland are among the 40 member
states of the Equal Rights Coalition, the first-ever
intergovernmental organization dedicated to the
protection of LGBTI persons worldwide.
On International Day Against Homophobia,
Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo said

“the United States stands with people
around the world in affirming the dignity
and equality of all people regardless of
sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, or sex characteristics. Human
rights are universal, and LGBTI people
are entitled to the same respect, freedoms,
and protections as everyone else.”
In his message, Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed that
the United States will use diplomacy to oppose
criminalization and violence directed against LGBTI
persons. The United States will raise human rights
concerns, provide emergency assistance and impose
sanctions against the persecutors, he said.

After all, as Secretary Pompeo noted:
“Our nation was founded on the bedrock
principle that we are all created equal –
and that every person is entitled to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Here in Iceland, the U.S. Embassy recognizes that
the fight for LGBTI rights should incorporate all
the friends and allies it can muster. As part of our
sponsorship, we will once again support the Family
Festival of Reykjavik Pride to provide a safe and
welcoming environment for LGBTI families. We also
will provide funding for a ramp and other features to
make Pride fully accessible to disabled participants.
The call to action for LGBTI rights becomes even more
powerful when all of our voices are united.

Finally, I wish to congratulate Samtokin ’78 on its
40th anniversary as the umbrella organization for
LGBTI rights in Iceland, including the Pride Festival.
Despite obstacles and struggles, this milestone is a
testament to your staying power and commitment
to this cause. We have been proud to partner with
Samtokin ’78 over the years and we look forward to
more collaborations.
49