By Eric Rice
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday touted New York’s recent vote permitting same-sex marriages while speaking to the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agency (GLIFAA), saying “it gives such visibility and credibility” the fight for equality among the LGBT community.
While accepting the agency’s first annual award presented to proven gay rights activists, Clinton made sure to remind the group that while praising the movement’s recent success, it was important to remember that the job is far from finished.
“We cannot forget how much work lies ahead because, let’s just face the facts; [the LGBT coimmunity] in many places continue to endure threats, harassment [and] violence,” Clinton acknowledged. “They continue to flee their homes and their nations and seek asylum because they are being persecuted for who they are.”
Clinton shared several vignettes featuring American diplomats who have had positive effects on the gay rights movement across the world. Clinton touted the work of U.S. Embassy officials in Tegucigalpa who helped the Honduran government set up an anti-hate crimes task force to bring the perpetrators of over 30 homophobic murders in Honduras to justice. She also praised the American ambassador to Italy for helping bring Lady Gaga, a growing presence in the gay rights community, to perform and speak at Europride 2011.
“[Our diplomats] have 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,” she said.
Clinton said that the gay rights movement must strive forward, even though, she said, it may not seem that any progress is being made.
“Life is getting better for people in many places, and it will continue to get better thanks to our work,” Clinton said.