Foreign Office to back gay communities around the world

I know this is rather old, but I had not seen it and thought it noteworthy.


Foreign Office to back gay communities around the world

• Minister praises diplomats for supporting rights
• Issue could be addressed at Commonwealth talks

The Foreign Office is to risk the wrath of homophobic regimes worldwide by encouraging British ambassadors to do more to support gay communities.

Chris Bryant, the new Foreign Office minister, who is gay, has started writing personal letters of congratulations to British diplomats who show public support for gay rights. He is praising them for such support even if it draws anger from national governments or local homophobic groups.

On the eve of today's Gay Pride March in London, Bryant sent handwritten letters of personal congratulations to three British ambassadors in eastern Europe after they were angrily accused by national governments of promoting gay rights.

He has also decided to ask British high commissioners in the Commonwealth to promote the rights of gay people, even though this will run contrary to the teachings of some local churches and governments.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/04/foreign-office-international-gay-community