Embassy pledges support for Laos’ second annual Gay Pride event
On the 2013 International Day Against Homophobia, the Embassy announces support for Lao PDR's LGBT Pride event to be held in Vientiane.
The newly-opened British Embassy Vientiane is marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on 17 May 2013 by pledging its support for the second annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride event to be held in Vientiane later this year.
The event called, ‘Proud to be Us!’ is the brainchild of a group of young Lao LGBT activists and will be hosted by the US Embassy in Laos and supported by a number of other organisations including the German and British Embassies. The 2012 event was attended by more than 100 participants including Dr. Bounpheng Philavong, Director of the Centre of the Centre for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS) at the Ministry of Health and many organisations providing services and working with and for members of the LGBT community in Laos.
Ambassador Philip Malone said:
It is very fitting that the new embassy celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia and shows our solidarity and support for events like ‘Proud to be Us!’ that explore and unite the community in Laos around issues of discrimination, gender roles, and sexual health.
Check back for updates about the upcoming ‘Proud to be Us!’ event soon to be posted to the embassy’s Twitter and the Ambassador’s blog.