Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former New York Senator and one of the first celebrity contributors to the “It Gets Better” campaign on behalf of LGBT youth, celebrated last week’s vote to legalize same-sex marriage today with a statement applauding the country’s gay rights progress.
The Sacramento Bee reports that Clinton emphasized the United States’ growing dedication to gay rights in both foreign policy and fundamental values alike while speaking at a State Department Pride event. She described New York’s gay marriage victory as “momentous” – but also stressed the fact that much more work remains on the horizon before equal rights for LGBT individuals become a global reality.
Clinton said the New York vote “gives such visibility and credibility to everything that so many of you have done for so many years,” addressing the gathered crowd of federal officers that included State Department officials, U.S. Agency for International Development employees and others invited by the Gays and Lesbian in Foreign Affairs Agencies organization.
The Secretary of State went on to enumerate several administration initiatives dedicated to LGBT equality, international Pride recognition and anti-discrimination measures.
In conclusion, Clinton urged her audience to “face the facts” and continue taking steps to advance gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights worldwide.
“LGBT people in many places continue to endure threats, harassment, violence…they continue to flee their homes and nations and seek asylum, because they are persecuted for being who they are,” she said.
