In a message to commemorate the
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT),
President Barack Obama reiterated that LGBT rights are human rights.
“Michelle and I join our fellow
Americans and others around the world in commemorating the
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,” Obama said.
“We take this opportunity to reaffirm that lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) rights are human rights, to celebrate the
dignity of every person, and to underscore that all people deserve to
live free from fear, violence, and discrimination, regardless of who
they are or whom they love.”
IDAHOT celebrates the 1990 date
homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organization's (WHO)
International Classification of Diseases. The annual May 17th
event is the brainchild of Louis-Georges Tin, a professor and author
of a number of book, including the Dictionary of Homophobia.
Obama added that “there is much more
to do” in the fight for LGBT rights.
“We work toward this goal every day.
Here at home, we are working to end bias-motivated violence, combat
discrimination in the workplace, and address the specific needs of
transgender persons. Overseas, I am proud of the steps that the
United States has taken to prioritize the protection and promotion of
LGBT rights in our diplomacy and global outreach.”
“There is much more to do, and this
fight for equality will not be won in a day. But we will keep
working, at home and abroad, and we will keep fighting, for however
long it takes until we are all able to live free and equal in dignity
and rights,” Obama said.