Dalai Lama: Support for Gay Rights
PRESS RELEASE
Geneva, April 3, 2006
For immediate circulation
HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
ISSUES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
Participants at the XXIII World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) welcomed a message of support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The statement (below) expresses H. H. the Dalai Lama’s concern at “reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people” and “urges respect, tolerance and the full recognition of human rights for all.”
The statement was greeted by a standing ovation from participants at the Conference.
“We are deeply grateful for the support expressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and Philip Braun, Co-Secretaries-General of ILGA. “In a world where the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are regularly violated, His Holiness’ message of support is a beacon of hope and respect. We urge other world religious leaders to join with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in opposing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and demonstrate a similar commitment to respect for the human rights.”
___
The Tibet Bureau
Office of the Representative of H. H. the Dalai Lama
“I am pleased to bring you greetings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of the XXIII World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association.
His Holiness welcomes the special attention given at this conference to religious tolerance and respect for diversity.
His Holiness is greatly concerned by reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and urges respect, tolerance, and the full recognition of human rights for all.
Finally, he expresses his best wishes for a successful conference.”
Geneva, 30 March 2006
Geneva, April 3, 2006
For immediate circulation
HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
ISSUES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
Participants at the XXIII World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) welcomed a message of support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The statement (below) expresses H. H. the Dalai Lama’s concern at “reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people” and “urges respect, tolerance and the full recognition of human rights for all.”
The statement was greeted by a standing ovation from participants at the Conference.
“We are deeply grateful for the support expressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and Philip Braun, Co-Secretaries-General of ILGA. “In a world where the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are regularly violated, His Holiness’ message of support is a beacon of hope and respect. We urge other world religious leaders to join with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in opposing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and demonstrate a similar commitment to respect for the human rights.”
___
The Tibet Bureau
Office of the Representative of H. H. the Dalai Lama
“I am pleased to bring you greetings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of the XXIII World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association.
His Holiness welcomes the special attention given at this conference to religious tolerance and respect for diversity.
His Holiness is greatly concerned by reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and urges respect, tolerance, and the full recognition of human rights for all.
Finally, he expresses his best wishes for a successful conference.”
Geneva, 30 March 2006
posted by Darrell Grizzle | 10:47 PM
3 Comments:
This is very good to see. Just wondering what you think about his teachings on homosexuality? I was actually shocked to read this...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/01/wdalai01.xml
I think the Dalai Lama is making a distinction between homosexual people, whom he supports and believes should have full human rights, and homosexual behavior. His tradition of Tibetan Buddhism teaches that sex is only for procreation, so in that tradition all oral and anal sex is wrong, whether gay or straight. Obviously I disagree with that, but I'm grateful that he does not let his tradition get in the way of supporting human rights for GLBT people.
What I read here from the Dalai Lama is support and respect for all people. I think there should be room for disagreement over all types of theology, but respect for human beings must undergird all of these disagreements. I am quite impressed by the Dalai Lama's respect and support of people who are different from himself. Can you imagine such a statement from Pope Benedict!?
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