Riga, May 17, 2016 – To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia (IDAHOT), the U.S. Embassy in Riga will fly the rainbow flag at the Embassy building May 17 and 18. Representatives from Mozaika, a prominent local advocacy group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) people, will join Ambassador Nancy Pettit at the flag raising ceremony on May 17. Representatives from the diplomatic community in Latvia will also be in attendance.
IDAHOT is an annual event observed internationally to counter homophobia and raise awareness of the human rights of LGBTI people. Advancing equality for LGBTI persons is fundamental to promoting democracy and human rights throughout the world. Inclusive societies are better international partners and better neighbors. Established in 2004, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia marks the day when homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases in 1990. It will be commemorated this year in almost 90 countries.
“Today, we raise the Rainbow Flag to symbolize our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of LGBTI people, and the human rights of all people everywhere,” said Ambassador Pettit.
