The Obama Administration has taken considerable steps in recognizing LGBT rights, including repealing the U.S. military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. President Obama has directed all U.S. government agencies engaged overseas to enlist partners and international organizations in the fight against discrimination.

Here in Hungary, the U.S. Embassy stood with over fifteen other foreign embassies in support of the LGBT community at the recent EuroGames and the Pride Cultural and Film Festival. Going forward, we will continue to include LGBT organizations in our civil society trainings and outreach. This fall, we will send a representative from the Hungarian LGBT community on an international exchange program to the United States focused on advocating for human and civil rights of LGBT communities.

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, “The story of America is the story of people coming together to tear down barriers, stand up for rights and insist on equality, not only for themselves but for all people.” And here in Hungary, Ambassador Kounalakis stated: “I admire the courage and perseverance of the Hungarian LGBT community against adversity and I stand with you all on this journey to raise awareness of the value of diversity and the acceptance of LGBT rights as human rights.”

Photo: Ambassador Kounalakis at the Budapest Pride March (Embassy photo by Bernadett Szabó)

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest