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SAN DIEGO — A contingent of LGBT movement leaders from around the globe will participate in a panel discussion titled Pride World Forum Tuesday, July 1 at 6:30 p.m. at The San Diego LGBT Community Center in Hillcrest.
The San Diego Diplomacy Council is hosting the contingent of leaders who are visiting the United States, June 30 – July 5, as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This particular group consists of leaders from 11 countries who are involved in LGBT equality work and are focusing on “Human Rights and Gender Identity” during this visit. While in the U.S., the group will visit four cities, ending their trip in San Diego.
At the July 1 forum, six members of the contingent will participate in a panel discussion, where community members will have the opportunity to ask them about their work and human rights issues around the globe. The panel will provide perspectives across multiple regions and nations and include representatives from any of the following countries: Mexico, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Romania, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and India.
While in San Diego, the contingent will also be visiting with representatives from San Diego Pride, San Diego State University’s LGBT Studies, The Center, The Center’s ’50 & Better Together’ program, and other community groups. The forum gives the community an opportunity to hear from these brave leaders who are fighting for human rights in their home countries.
The San Diego Diplomacy Council is presenting the LGBT World Forum in conjunction with San Diego Pride, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Jill Secard, executive director of the San Diego Diplomacy Council, expressed her excitement about being able to present this group to the community.
“These human rights leaders have been selected by U.S. Embassies around the world as influential leaders in their fields and activists for positive social change in their countries. We are honored to host this U.S. State Department sponsored delegation in our city to be able to meet with local community leaders, share best practices and collaborate regarding the most effective tools for advocacy being used in the world today.”
Stephen Whitburn, executive director of San Diego Pride, said that it is important for civil rights activists from around the globe to come together.
“Through interactions like this forum, we have the opportunity to learn about the struggles our community faces around the globe,” said Whitburn. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the San Diego Diplomacy Council and other organizations to give community members the opportunity to learn from and connect with these courageous activists.”
On July 1, doors to The Center’s auditorium will open at 6 p.m., and the panel presentation, moderated by San Diego Pride’s Fernando Lopez, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Community members will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session following the presentation, and the event will conclude with a reception.
The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information contact the San Diego Diplomacy Council at 619-291-8105.
Founded in 1974, San Diego LGBT Pride is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is: Fostering pride in and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, locally, nationally, and globally. www.sdpride.org