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Message of support for Sofia Pride 2010
On the occasion of the third Sofia Pride march on 26 June
2010, I would like to send a message of support for all those who
will be celebrating diversity on that day. I warmly welcome this
initiative which will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of
homosexuality's removal from the World Health
Organisation's (WHO) list of diseases and disorders and I
express our solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, all over
the world, LGBT people are still subject to discrimination, hate
crimes and social exclusion; homophobia remains widespread in
Europe; stereotypes and prejudices often determine public attitude
to those who do not fit in the traditional social behaviour.
We believe that everyone should be free to enjoy the rights and freedoms laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the other international human rights instruments to which all the EU countries have subscribed. This is why we reject and condemn any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We consider that intolerance and homophobia violate human dignity and are incompatible with the basic principles and values on which the EU is founded: equal rights and opportunities for all EU citizens no matter of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Guaranteeing human rights of LGBT persons requires an active, consistent, determined policy of the authorities both at national and local level as well as an important involvement by the civil society. Changing public attitudes and stereotypes is crucial for the promotion of diversity and equality not only for LBGT community, but also for all of us, like EU citizens. This is why Sofia Pride is not just LGBT event; it is a march in the name of human rights and justice for every human being.
I wish all participants in the third Sofia Pride march a happy and peaceful celebration of diversity.
Karel van Kesteren
Ambassador of the Netherlands
We believe that everyone should be free to enjoy the rights and freedoms laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the other international human rights instruments to which all the EU countries have subscribed. This is why we reject and condemn any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We consider that intolerance and homophobia violate human dignity and are incompatible with the basic principles and values on which the EU is founded: equal rights and opportunities for all EU citizens no matter of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Guaranteeing human rights of LGBT persons requires an active, consistent, determined policy of the authorities both at national and local level as well as an important involvement by the civil society. Changing public attitudes and stereotypes is crucial for the promotion of diversity and equality not only for LBGT community, but also for all of us, like EU citizens. This is why Sofia Pride is not just LGBT event; it is a march in the name of human rights and justice for every human being.
I wish all participants in the third Sofia Pride march a happy and peaceful celebration of diversity.
Karel van Kesteren
Ambassador of the Netherlands