In the footsteps of openly-gay US Ambassador to New Zealand, meet his successor Mark Gilbert, who has recorded a special message for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - known as IDAHOT. Mark Gilbert "I strongly believe we overcome stereotypes and prejudices by jointly combatting intolerance, and demonstrating that in fact we are all equal," Gilbert says in the clip, which you can watch below. "Equality is best achieved through ordinary individuals openly discussing changes in their communities and the fundamental notion that gay rights are human rights." Gilbert says the Embassy has valued the oportunity to learn about the work lgbt youth are doing at the NXT conferences, which were one of the legacies of his predecessor, openly-gay ambassador David Huebner. "I'd like to acknowledge those courageous advocates in New Zealand and abroad who are transforming their communities on a daily basis." Gilbert is a former baseballer who had a brief spell in the Major League with the White Sox, then went on to a career in finance. IDAHOT is being marked by the Otago University Students' Association, which is making badges aimed at promoting non-binary gender representation among young people. The badges read the likes of "Gender is not Binary", "Ask Me My Pronouns" and "Are you a Girl or a Boy? No!" or "Are a Girl or a Boy? Yes!". Youth group Inside Out is running a regional hui alongside the Sexual Health Network, in Whanganui. It's made up of workshops run for youth by youth to address and support young people's dreams and aspirations and provide a safe space for diversity. IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally. It's now marked in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. This year it coincides with International AIDS Candlelight Memorials
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 17th May 2015 - 7:22am