Riga, June 16, 2015 – The U.S. Embassy in Riga is proud to be a major supporter of EuroPride in Riga, a week-long series of events to recognize and promote the human rights and basic freedoms of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people through workshops, conferences, art exhibitions and cultural events. Promoting inclusion and advancing equality for all people, including LGBT persons, is fundamental to U.S. foreign policy and the promotion of democracy and human rights throughout the world. In honor of EuroPride, the U.S. Embassy will fly the rainbow flag at the Embassy building, June 15-21.
In conjunction with EuroPride events, the U.S. Embassy will host several U.S visitors:
- U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons Randy Berry will visit June 18-21. During his visit he will meet with parliamentarians and government officials, meet with activists, deliver remarks at the international Freedom Conference on “Freedom of Speech and Assembly: A World Perspective In A Narrative” at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija on June 19 and participate in the EuroPride parade and rally on June 20.
For more information about Special Envoy Berry, please visit: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/240706.htm - U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Daniel Baer will be in Riga June 19 to meet with government officials and EuroPride organizers, and deliver closing remarks at the international Freedom Conference on “Freedom of Speech and Assembly: A World Perspective In A Narrative” at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija.
For more information about Ambassador Baer, please visit: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/214014.htm - LGBT human rights advocate Stuart Milk, nephew of civil rights leader Harvey Milk and co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation, will visit Latvia, June 18-21. He will deliver remarks at the international Freedom Conference on “Freedom of Speech and Assembly conference on June 19, meet with activists, and march in the EuroPride Parade and address the public at the EuroPride rally on June 20. For more information about Stuart Milk, please visit: http://milkfoundation.org/about/advisory-board-members-bio/stuart-milk/
- American singer-songwriter Steve Grand, who has been called the first openly gay country music star in the United States, will visit Latvia with his band, June 17-21. Grand will perform at the Fontaine Palace Club in Liepāja on June 18, lead a workshop for young musicians at Kaņepes kultūras centrs in Riga on June 19, march in the EuroPride Parade and perform at the rally on June 20, and star at the EuroPride Celebration Gala Concert at Palladium Riga on June 20.
For more information about Steve Grand, please visit: http://www.stevegrand.com/about/
