Representatives from the accredited diplomatic body in Argentina, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, agencies from the System of United Nations and international organizations, met together at the FALGBT’s new headquarters aiming to hold an open dialogue about the global state of LGBT rights.

The Argentine Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders (FALGBT) states that it hosted a meeting in its new headquarters in the City of Buenos Aires, with representatives from the accredited diplomatic body of Argentina, organizations from the System of United Nations, governmental representatives, and organizations of international impact.

The objective of the encounter was focused on continuing the work that the FALGBT has pushed forward together with the foreign diplomatic bodies in our country (Argentina); at the same time initiating a dialogue regarding the state of the human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders in the region and at a global level, in order to plan possible actions and cooperation with respect to this matter.

Within this framework the FALGBT expressed the work that it is undertaking throughout the entire country, and diverse, ongoing, projects with embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the System of United Nations in Argentina, amongst which is emphasized the drawing up of the Plan of LGBT Citizenry.

Representatives from the embassies of the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the United States, Brazil, Ireland, the National Ministry of Foreign Relations’ Management of Human Rights, the Program of United Nations for Development (PNUD), ONUSIDA (a joint program with the UN in response to HIV/AIDS), the System of United Nations in Argentina (SNU), and the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) participated in the meeting.

At the same time, the Legislator of the City of Buenos Aires, María Rachid, the President and Vice President of the FALGBT, Esteban Paulón and Claudia Castrosín Verdú respectively, the organization’s Secretary of International Relations, Alejandro Nasif Salum, and other members of the Directive Commission and member organizations of the FALGBT were also present.

On this matter, Esteban Paulón, President of the FALGBT, said: “We value very positively this open dialogue with the accredited diplomatic representatives in Argentina, space which will permit us to share the work we undertake in Argentina and project it towards other countries that find themselves debating the expansion of rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders as well. Likewise, the examples of other nations which have taken and are currently set upon taking the path in search of equality permit us to learn.”

Lastly, Paulón also added: “The rights we have procured these past years in Argentina, fruits of the FALGBT’s work throughout the entire country, signify an enormous responsibility and push us to work together with organizations and governments from all across the world, so that equality may be a worldwide reality. In moments of tension, of moving forwards and moving backwards, it is crucial to join forces and embrace the international and individual aspects of our movement, in the construction of a world with more rights and liberties for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders; nothing less than a better world.”