Video: Ban Ki-moon’s gay and trans rights speech remixed
The speech made by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Human Rights Council discussion on gay and transgender protections earlier this month has been given a remix by AllOut.org.
A panel discussion at the UN’s Human Rights Council on ending violence and discrimination against gay and trans people took place for the first time in Geneva.
While the Council’s first panel on discrimination against gay and trans people was heralded as a “milestone” event, it was also opposed by the 57-country Organisation of Islamic Cooperation who said it had “nothing to do with fundamental human rights” and staged a walkout.
Ban Ki-moon’s video address at the start of the discussion described violence against gays and transgender people as a “monumental tragedy” and a “stain upon our collective conscience”.
But, he said: “To those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, let me say: You are not alone. Your struggle for an end to violence and discrimination is a shared struggle. Any attack on you is an attack on the universal values the United Nations and I have sworn to defend and uphold.
“Today, I stand with you, and I call upon all countries and people to stand with you, too.”
Now AllOut.org, which has members in every country of the world, has breathed new life into Ban Ki-moon’s speech with a remix to ensure it is seen by as many people as possible and is not overshadowed by the opposing nations’ boycott.
“When someone like Ban Ki-moon speaks out, it makes a difference,” said Andre Banks, Executive Director of AllOut.org. “But only if people hear what he has to say.”
