HÄN for the World: Finland honors Human Rights Campaign
Finland wants to highlight the important work that is being done every day to promote equality-related values in society, around the world. Human Rights Campaign is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization in the U.S. Finland values HRC's tireless work towards a safe and inclusive world for all LGBTQI people and presented them with HÄN Honours.
Press Release
Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C.
5th of June 2019
Finland places great significance on promoting equality in the world and wishes to thank those who are working towards this common goal. To express its gratitude, Finland will be presenting special recognition to individuals and groups around the globe who are committed to advancing inclusivity in society. The names of the first recipients from 16 countries were released this week, with one of the honors going to the Human Rights Campaign.
#Hän(Link to another website.) is the inclusive #Finnish(Link to another website.) pronoun that stands for #EqualOpportunity(Link to another website.). It’s a symbol of a better world where people aren’t defined by their background, gender or appearance. Read more https://t.co/lkCaS8thqA(Link to another website.) pic.twitter.com/nIOhz2TcV9(Link to another website.)
— thisisFINLAND (@thisisFINLAND) 3. kesäkuuta 2019(Link to another website.)
Equality is a core value for Finland and its people. To highlight the importance of equality and to show gratitude for the valuable work that is being done to advance equality in society, Finland will be presenting special recognition to individuals and groups around the world. Finland aims to encourage conversation about equality and promote initiatives for a more inclusive society.
Human Rights Campaign(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization in the U.S. and a long-time partner for Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C. in human rights related events. Finland values their tireless work towards a safe and inclusive world for all LGBTQI people. HRC received the Hän Honour from the Ambassador of Finland to the U.S. Kirsti Kauppi during a Twitter Town Hall(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) with all five Nordic countries’ US Ambassadors on 4th of June.
Ambassador Kauppi with Jay Gilliam, the Director of Global Leadership at Human Rights Campaign
The recognition forms part of a broader campaign(Link to another website.) about equality, launched by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in June 2019 and continuing until the end of the year. Finland aims to bring questions of equality to the fore of the international conversation.
In 2017, the year Finland celebrated the 100th anniversary of its independence, it promoted action around the world in the name of gender equality and launched the first International Gender Equality Prize(Link to another website.). The prize will be awarded for the second time later this year.
Additional information:
List of HÄN recognition recipients: finland.fi/han/#Han_honours(Link to another website.)
Compilation of the #AskNordicAmbs about equality and LGBTQI rights Twitter Town Hall: twitter.com/FinnEmbassyDC/status/1135952961509761026(Link to another website.)
Media contact and interview requests:
Helena Liikanen-Renger
Press Counselor
Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C.
Tel. +1 202 298 5820