Consulate, Sahodari take Pride in LGBT progress

U.S. Consulates’s Political Officer Mathew Beh speaks at a panel discussion on “Human Rights of Sexual Minorities.

Emphasizing the U.S. Government’s commitment to eliminating discrimination against sexual minorities including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, and marking LGBT Pride Month 2011, the U.S. Consulate in association with Sahodari Foundation, Chennai organized a panel discussion on “Human Rights of Sexual Minorities” on Friday June 24, 2011. Speaking on behalf of the consulate, Political Officer Matthew K. Beh recal1led the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969 when the gay community first protested police action against them in New York, and pointed out that there was much more awareness and understanding about LGBT Rights today. Highlighting the struggles by great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. for equal rights, Mr. Beh reiterated the U.S. Government’s commitment to fighting discrimination against LGBT persons and its support to movements around the world to ensure full LGBT participation in the international system. Ms. Kalki Subramaniam, Founder / Director of Sahodari Foundation, shared her experience as the first transsexual individual to participate in the U.S. Government’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). Prominent Tamil Writer and former Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board Ms.Salma and Deputy Director at the Tamil Nadu Government’s Directorate of Social Welfare Ms. G. Jayalakshmi also spoke. The panel discussion was followed by the screening of “Boys Don’t Cry,” an Oscar winning feature film focusing on transgender rights.