Joint Statement to Mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBiT)

Today we celebrate the annual International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBiT).  On this important day, we express our solidarity with, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) communities in Kazakhstan.

This year, in line with the IDAHOBiT theme, we are “Breaking the Silence.”  In Kazakhstan, as in other places around the world, many LGBTI people remain silent because of fear of violence or stigma.  For those who bravely speak out, know that we support you.  For those who cannot yet speak out, we are united in our support for you, too.  Your voices and your stories matter.  You deserve to be heard.

Human rights are universal, and LGBTI people are entitled to the same respect, freedoms, and protections as everyone else.  We stand with people around the world in affirming the dignity and equality of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics.

As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights.  We support the LGBTI community, national human rights organizations, families, the Government of Kazakhstan and its institutions, private enterprise, and all other interested parties in their efforts to ensure non-discrimination protection applies to all people.