Wow!
Yesterday my sister's college friend, Randy Berry, was inaugurated by the State Department as the first-ever LGBT human rights envoy. This is a newly-created position for which he was chosen. Randy has served in the Foreign Service for most of his career, with postings around the world. His most recent position has been Consul General in Amsterdam.
About 100 people, including my sister, attended the inaugural event in one of the State Department's formal reception rooms, often used to host heads of state. Anne told me that several members of Congress were present, and the atmosphere included a string trio, hor d'ourves, and drinks. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke first, followed by Randy himself. (He told Anne privately that he had pulled a "college all-nighter" to get ready!) Both speeches are posted today on the home page of the State Department's website: www.state.gov
Two excerpts from John Kerry:
We know governments and civil societies in many regions are taking positive steps to advance LGBT rights. And we need to build on and learn from those successes. So this is an important post that Randy is signing up for. And it’s an important moment to represent our country. It demands courage and commitment, and it demands character. And I think everybody here who knows Randy knows those are three words that define him . . . So Randy, as you are surrounded today by family and by friends, I want you to know that you have President Obama’s full confidence, you have my full confidence, and you have the respect and the gratitude of the State Department family. And I look forward to working closely with you and with everybody here and the many people who are committed to this cause in the months and years to come. Let’s stay at it. God bless. And thank you, Randy, for taking on this task.
Some of Randy's response:
I am deeply, deeply honored and humbled by the confidence and trust that you’ve placed in me in appointing me to this special envoy role. I’d further like to thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your ongoing leadership and commitment in advancing the human and civil rights of members of the LGBT community both here and abroad . . . .
We’ve seen critical interventions in crisis situations, but also the use of such innovations as the Global Equality Fund to build local civil society networks and capabilities, ensure access to justice, and provide safe haven for those at risk. Many of you in this room are foundational partners in that effort and I thank you for that. Looking ahead, I pledge to put forth my strongest effort to honor and deepen those friendships with our friends and allies and to seek out new partners and grow that momentum.
We are not alone in our efforts. We must continue to learn from and exchange clear views with our closest governmental allies in this fight . . . . To our friends and partners working in the international civil society and global equality sphere and have provided a catalyst for change in many places around the globe, I look forward to encouraging – to engaging robustly, again, to continue to learn and to continue to refine our partnership. As leaders in social innovation and promotion of change, your role is invaluable.
I will seek to partner more with businesses not only to explore in greater detail how positive policies can encourage change, but also to see greater partnership through the Global Equality Fund, which carries great promise but needs additional support and participation. To our friends and partners, allies, and advocates doing the most challenging and difficult work in the most challenging and difficult of places, let me assure you that, as the Secretary just noted, the United States Government is fully committed to promoting and protecting your human rights. And to do that we must continue to engage with and listen intently to the views and needs of local rights organizations taking up the banner in hundreds of places around the world.
posted by Stahlkes @ 5:01 PM
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