Hinsegin dagar í Reykjavík - aug. 2017, Síða 57

The United States and Iceland:
To Live with Dignity
Message from the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé
d’Affaires Jill Esposito to the People of Iceland
and visitors to Reykjavik Pride 2017

I am delighted to extend my greetings to all the
participants in Reykjavik Pride as the U.S. Embassy is
a proud supporter of LGBTI rights and this festival.

In honor of LGBTI month in June 2017, Secretary of
State Rex Tillerson said:
“…the Department of State affirms
its solidarity with the human rights
defenders and civil society organizations
working around the world to uphold the
fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons
to live with dignity and freedom….The
United States remains committed to
human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all persons.”
Everyone should have the right to live with
dignity and be free from threat of violence and
discrimination. This year the U.S. Embassy will
march in the Reykjavik Pride Parade for the seventh
consecutive year. We march for those LGBTI persons
who continue to face the threat of violence and
discrimination. We march because we believe that as
Secretary Tillerson has said:
“When all persons are protected on the
basis of equality and with dignity, global
stability is strengthened."

We, at the U.S. Embassy, have been very impressed
with Reykjavik Pride, especially the organization’s
commitment to stand up and fight to advance the
rights of other minorities in Iceland struggling with
inequality. One of those groups is individuals with
disabilities. We commend the efforts of Reykjavik
Pride to provide an accessibility ramp for the
festivities to allow those who use a wheelchair to
see and enjoy the entertainment on the main stage,
just like everyone else. The U.S. Embassy has, in the
past few years, sponsored this ramp and last year
contributed to the cost of making the event fully
accessible to ensure the inclusion of anyone who
wished to participate. We are happy to continue
that support this year, as supporting both the LGBTI
community and people with disabilities is not only
part of our policy, but also the right thing to do.

We are also proud to continue our support of the
Family Festival of Reykjavik Pride, to provide an
entertaining, safe, and healthy environment for
LGBTI families. We started support for this portion of
the program in 2015 in honor of the U.S. Supreme
Court decision guaranteeing marriage equality in
all 50 States. This monumental ruling was a historic
victory for LGBTI Americans, declaring equality
across state lines and ensuring fair treatment under
the law, with the full dignity and respect the LGBTI
community had strived to achieve for so long.

Finally, I would like to point out a valuable event
sponsored by the U.S. Embassy that takes place at
the Reykjavik Jazz Festival, a performance by 10-time
Grammy award nominee, pianist, Fred Hersch and
his trio. Mr. Hersch will also give a talk about his
experiences as an out, HIV-positive jazz musician.
Fred Hersch is a living legend, one of today's giants
of piano jazz that has firm roots in the tradition. His
story of building an impressive career while dealing
with life threatening disease will be an inspiration to all.

Íslensk þýðing aðgengileg á vefsíðu hátíðarinnar,
www.hinsegindagar.is.
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