Global Equality Caucus members meet in Tokyo to discuss LGBT+ priorities for Asia-Pacific region
Members of the Global Equality Caucus held a series of meetings in Tokyo last week (19-20 September 2019) with politicians from the Asia-Pacific region to highlight priorities for LGBT+ rights campaigns in their countries.
In collaboration with the multinational law firm Freshfields and the Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network (LLAN), parliamentarians from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand and the UK addressed the fourth annual LLAN Equality Gala to share their experiences campaigning for improved equality laws.
Guests at the Equality Gala heard from Louisa Wall MP (New Zealand), Mei-Nu Yu (Taiwan) and Caucus Chair Nick Herbert MP (UK), who were all leading voices in campaigns for marriage equality in their respective countries; Risa Hontiveros, who has pushed for sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination laws in the Philippines; and Ray Chan, Hong Kong’s first openly gay legislator. Guests also heard from the two openly-LGBT parliamentarians currently serving in the Japanese Diet, Taiga Ishikawa and Kanako Otsuji, who have been vocal advocates for the introduction of improved equality laws in Japan.
The gala was also addressed by the UK Government Trade Secretary Liz Truss MP. In her first international engagement as the United Kingdom’s new Minister for Women & Equalities, the Minister reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to LGBT+ equality and the importance of international human rights. The UK Government, in its capacity as co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, is coordinating with the Global Equality Caucus to host an international LGBT+ conference next year. Read more via Equality Caucus