Louisa Wall (right) with Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse at Saturday's Auckland Pride Parade Louisa Wall is in Thailand taking part in a regional discussion on lgbti rights. The Labour MP who led New Zealand’s marriage equality campaign will be one of those offering opening remarks tomorrow. Others who will speak include former New Zealand Prime Minister and current UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, Philippines trans activist Geena Rocero and Thai TV host and lgbti activist Sophon Shimjinda. The gathering has brought together Asia-Pacific governments, development partners, human rights groups, and lgbti organisations to reflect on advances achieved during the past decade in lgbti rights, health, and social protection. They will build networks and look for opportunities for innovation and action. Wall says she is honoured to have been asked to represent both New Zealand and the Pacific. She was identified as someone who can help advance regional efforts and contribute to change in advancing the rights of lgbti people and their access to health and social protection. "I am proud of New Zealand's sustained history of lgbti inclusive development and by working together with our Asia-Pacific neighbours we can advance the interests of lgbti people across all our communities,” Wall says. This regional dialogue is the beginning of phase 2 of the ‘Being LGBTI in Asia’ programme. The eight countries initially involved were China, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Nepal and Mongolia. It’s hoped the gathering will help build a movement for legal and social changes in Asia-Pacific and will advance the rights of lgbti people overall. The conference runs from 25 to 27 February at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 25th February 2015 - 12:52pm