Pride matters

During my first year as Ambassador to the Philippines, I joined the Metro Manila Pride March with Embassy colleagues. Our group, while not the largest, was perhaps one of the most photographed at that event.  The attention we drew contributed to the conversation on LGBTI issues and encouraged other friends to show support. The Australian Embassy has marched in solidarity with the LGBTI community each year since.  For some staff, this year was their first time to be part of Manila Pride, the oldest Pride demonstration in Southeast Asia.   They joined around 25,000 people who despite a bit of rain and grey skies, marched proudly wrapped in rainbow flags. 

Earlier this year, the Embassy supported the first ever Short+Sweet PINK Shorts 2018, the LGBTI component of Manila Biennale.  I was pleased to open the festival and present the Jury Award. Films and short plays provided a platform to discuss and, hopefully, address issues facing the LGBTI community. 

We also believe it is important to assist community groups in the work they do to support LGBTI people. That is why the Embassy has funded LoveYourself, a non profit organisation, to improve its clinic in Mandaluyong City. The clinic is the most visited HIV testing center in the country with around 10,000 people tested annually. The upgraded clinic will allow LoveYourself to expand its ‘Smart, Safe and Sexy’ program, an HIV prevention initiative for men who have sex with men, through treatment, care and support.

A more inclusive society benefits everyone.  I’m proud that the Embassy is a workplace that values diversity as its strength. This is based on the quintessentially Australian value of a ‘fair go’ or equality.  I’m also proud that what we practice in the workplace, we also support in the broader community through engagements such as with Manila Pride, PINK Shorts and LoveYourself.

Back home in Australia, legislating in late 2017 for marriage equality was a defining moment.   The day the Australian parliament affirmed a public vote, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, “We’ve voted today for equality. [...] This is Australia: fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect.”

By changing the law, Australia affirmed our commitment to diversity, respect and inclusion for all.

In the Philippines Congresswoman Geraldine Roman’s drive and passion led to the passing of the Anti-Discrimination ‘SOGIE’ Bill in the House of Representatives at about the same time as Australia was voting to support same sex marriage. In addition a number of cities in the Philippines have taken action on their own, though issuing anti-discrimination ordinances. These are all positive steps to prevent discrimination for LGBTI people.

While these are big steps forward, unfortunately of course discrimination still exists within Australia, the Philippines and throughout the world. It is in our national interest to protect and promote human rights at home and abroad. Respect for human rights deliver us peace, security, prosperity and dignity.

As part of Australia’s commitment to greater recognition to human rights we work with governments, international organisations, business and civil society to promote rights for LGBTI people. This year Australia has stepped up efforts to promote and protect human rights around the world by serving as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the world’s peak human rights body, for the 2018-20 term. During this time we will continue to be a strong and positive voice for the human rights of LGBTI people.

We stand together with those addressing these important issues and who are building on this momentum to make equal rights for all LBGTI people a universal reality.

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(Amanda Gorely is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines. Follow her on Twitter @AusAmbPH)