RC Speech for Pride March

Excellencies;

• Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, a senuara (Sra) Elvina Sousa Carvalho
• Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Timor-Leste, Mr. Marc Fiedrich
• Community members, media, allies of LGBTIQ+ community, and the UN Family

Boa Tarde.

I stand before you today as a proud representative of the United Nations, brimming with delight, not just because of the rainbow flags that fill the air and the pulsating energy that vibrates around us, but because of what they represent. We are all gathered here today, in solidarity, united by our firm commitment to safeguarding the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community.

Today's PRIDE March stands as a glowing testament to courage, a beacon of hope and a symbol of love. It signifies the determination to live our lives authentically, in broad daylight, open and bare for all to see. As we march, we must remember that while many have embraced this movement, others continue to judge and discriminate. Thus, our battle is not over. We must tirelessly work to raise awareness about the discrimination and violence that the LGBTIQ+ community endures.

Timor-Leste has taken notable strides forward in LGBTIQ+ rights. Not only has homosexuality been decriminalized, but also, under Article 59 of the 2009 Penal Code, any discrimination based on sexual orientation is considered a criminal offense. We remember with gratitude Ex-Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo, the first Southeast Asian politician who publicly denounced any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression (SOGIE). The current President, His Excellency Ramos-Horta, continues to champion equal recognition and non-discrimination, including for the LGBTI community.

As the UN, our duty is to promote a safe, inclusive, and accepting society, a place where everyone can live freely, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you, in alliance with numerous civil society organizations to advance LGBTIQ+ rights and to empower the community.

Our partnerships with marginalized groups have been a priority for us, as demonstrated by our 2020 Spotlight Initiative. Establishing relationships with two LGBTI organizations was among our initial endeavors, showcasing our commitment to "Leaving No One Behind."

As we challenge structural discrimination, we must also introspect, questioning our biases and behaviors. We must strive to bring change not only in law but also in our hearts and minds, transforming our everyday spaces into more inclusive environments.

In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, "Human rights are universal. Cultural, religious and moral practices and beliefs, and social attitudes cannot be invoked to justify human rights violations against any group, including LGBTI persons."

Together, we continue to champion for inclusion, and we will not rest until no one is left behind. Today, we march not just in pride, but also in hope, in solidarity, and in the promise of a more inclusive future.

Obrigada Barak! Let us march onwards, painting the world with the colors of our pride.

Boa Tarde

• I am delighted to represent the UN!
• We are here, in solidarity and because of our commitment to ensuring the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community are recognized. 
• Today’s event, the PRIDE March, with community members, their parents, friends and allies acknowledges the courage it takes to live your authentic self!
• Open and Bare for all to see!
• While some embrace, some continue to judge and discriminate. It is our duty to continue raising awareness around the discrimination and violence that LGBTIQ+ members face.
• Timor-Leste has made considerable advances in LGBTIQ+ rights.  Homosexuality is not criminalized and Article 59 of the 2009 Penal Code in fact, criminalises discrimination on the basis of  sexual orientation.
• Ex - Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo, is known to be the first Southeast Asian politician that denounced any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression (SOGIE). And the current President, His Excellency Ramos-Horta urged for equal recognition and non-discrimination, including of the LGBTI community. 
• As the UN, it is our duty to support the LGBTIQ+ community and promote a safe and inclusive society, irrespective of our gender identity and sexual orientation. 
• I am pleased to say we work in partnership with CSOs, that many are here today for the advancement of LGBTIQ+ rights and empowerment of the community, to ensure that our work and programmes like Spotlight Initiative are in the spirit of Leaving No One Behind.
• In fact, establishing partnerships with marginalized groups was a priority in 2020 for Spotlight, and partnerships with two LGBTI organizations was one of the first forged by Spotlight Initiative.
• While we work towards changing structural discrimination, we must also continue to question our behaviour, biases and change our hearts and minds and bring change in our everyday spaces. We will continue to work for inclusion and ensure that no one is left behind!
• In Hope and In Solidarity always!

Obrigada Barak!