On the occasion of the Rainbow Parade in Vienna on 4 July 2009, I, as British Ambassador in Vienna, would like to extend a message of support to all those who will be celebrating diversity on that day.

All over the world, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community are subject to discrimination, often hidden and with impunity, because of the invisibility of the community members themselves.  We reject and condemn any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.  It is incompatible with the basic principles and values on which the EU is founded. We are and will remain committed to the prevention and eradication of discrimination based on the six grounds mentioned in Article 13 of the EC Treaty, which include sexual orientation.

Along with Austria we were pleased to support the declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity presented to the General Assembly in December 2008, which expressed concern about the violations of human rights based on sexual orientation. We express our wholehearted support to all those who - whether as individuals, working for government organisations or for nongovernmental organisations – are working to ensure that all of us can fully enjoy our human rights, without distinction of any kind, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Those who are interested in learning more about the British government’s approach to LGBT issues may be interested to read our “LGBT toolkit”.

Celebrating diversity is not about promoting a lifestyle: it is about promoting respect for fundamental human rights. It is about the very essence of our European democratic values. I wish all those celebrating Vienna Pride's 14th Rainbow Parade on 4 July, a peaceful and enjoyable day.

Simon Smith