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A Gays.com and Gays.de exclusive: Message by Michael Kauch, German Member of Parliament of the Free Democratic party for International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2009 (English transcript below)

Greetings, my name is Michael Kauch,

I am a member of parliament of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Germany and coordinate its gay and lesbian policy. The International Day Against Homophobia is an annual reminder that many lesbians and gays around the world are not able to live as freely as we do. Even though equality in Germany has not yet been fully accomplished, even though discrimination still exists in every day life, we in Germany can live relatively freely as lesbians and gays.

And therefore, we have a particular obligation, to stand up for the human rights of lesbians and gays in Eastern Europe, but especially in African countries or in the Arabic world. They are being threatened by discrimination, ostracism, and in Africa and in the Middle East also by imprisoning or death penalty.

We as the parliamentary faction of the FDP have put human rights for lesbians and gays around the world on top of our international agenda. We make clear that the western values of tolerance and diversity are universal human rights. Every time we visit those countries that discriminate lesbians and gays, we have to make this clear and stand up for the values of freedom.

And you can contribute as well: For most lesbians and gays in Western Europe, the Christopher Street Days in Eastern Europe are easily reachable. Go there! Support our friends and show that we see Europe as a community of values.