THE United States Embassy in Manila celebrated the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month with a reception in Cebu hosted by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg last June 24.
This was the first time the reception was held in Cebu.
More than 100 guests attended the reception, including leading LGBT rights activists, government officials, local business leaders, and friends and allies of the LGBT community.
In his welcome message, Goldberg reiterated the United States’ commitment to support the Philippines in the advancement of LGBT equality.
“We firmly believe that human rights are universal – meaning that gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights. We stand with you in seeking tolerance, respect and the freedom to express yourselves without fear,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg also highlighted the ongoing work of the “Being LGBT in Asia” project spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development.
This project has been instrumental in encouraging networking between LGBT people across the Asia-Pacific region, developing an understanding of the capacity of LGBT organizations to engage in policy dialogue and spurring community mobilization.
While in Cebu, Goldberg also met with Gov. Hilario Davide III, the president and students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, the American Chamber of Commerce Cebu, and local HIV and LGBT groups.
The LGBT Pride Month reception is a tradition of the US Embassy Manila, in solidarity with the international community, in upholding and protecting the rights of LGBT persons around the world.
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