Nelson Mandela, who died yesterday was South Africa’s first post-Apartheid president, and an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality. He appointed an openly-gay judge to South Africa’s High Court of Appeal and during his presidency, South Africa became the first nation in the world to constitutionally prohibit sexual orientation-based discrimination. Mandela will be remembered for his social justice activism and commitment to equality for all people.
Around the world people, politicians and officials from all countries and walks of life paid tribute to Mandela. Below is a roundup of some of those statements:
“He achieved more than could be expected of any man. And today, he’s gone home. We’ve lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. He no longer belongs to us. He belongs to the ages.”
President Barack Obama
“History will remember Nelson Mandela as a champion for human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation.”
Former President Bill Clinton
“His passion for freedom and justice created new hope for generations of oppressed people worldwide, and because of him, South Africa is today one of the world’s leading democracies.”
Former President Jimmy Carter
“Over the past 24 years Madiba taught us how to come together and to believe in ourselves and each other. He was a unifier from the moment he walked out of prison.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration. Many around the world were greatly influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
“A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death – a true global hero. Meeting him was one of the great honors of my life.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron
“Chinese people would always remember his extraordinary contribution to the development of bilateral relations and the cause of human progress.”
China’s President Xi Jinping
“Nelson Mandela was one of the great figures of Africa, arguably one of the great figures of the last century.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott
“Nelson Mandela tore down oppression, united a rainbow nation, and always walked arm-in-arm with his LGBT brothers and sisters—and with all people—toward freedom. Though every man, woman and child who seeks justice around the world mourns this loss, his vision of an equal future lives on undimmed.”
HRC President Chad Griffin
