Blinken praises LGBTQI community at Pride event

Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised LBGTQI employees in U.S. foreign affairs agencies at a Pride event at the State Department Friday, calling employees at the event "dedicated public servants, incredibly talented diplomats, and cherished colleagues and teammates."

"You make our country safer," he said. "You make our foreign policy stronger."

He also said that persecution and discrimination against individuals in the LGBTQI community constitute human rights abuses.

Blinken reminded the gathering that homosexuality is still illegal in 70 countries around the world, with severe penalties including death. He also lamented the violence, harassment and discrimination against the LBGTQI community.

Blinken also pointed out that President Joe Biden signed an executive order earlier this week directing the State Department and other relevant agencies to come up with a plan to promote an end to the controversial practice of conversion therapy around the globe, and to ensure that U.S.  foreign assistance dollars are not used to fund the practice."

He also pointed to the State Department's Global Equality Fund, now marking it's tenth anniversary, which has provided more than $100 million to LGBTQI plus organizations in more than 100 countries.

"The work is ongoing and in a sense it always will be," Blinken said.

"It is so critical that we reaffirm our shared commitment to an America where all people are treated with equal respect and equal humanity, and where all kids know that they're perfect just the way they are."

(Image: AP)