Americas

The US Embassy Celebrating Sports, Pride and Progress

The U.S. Embassy Berlin hosted its largest Pride reception to date

June 25th, 2024
Yixiao Li, News from Berlin
20240625 The US Embassy.jpg

The U.S. Embassy Berlin hosted its largest Pride reception to date, welcoming nearly 300 members of Germany’s LGBTQI+ community, civil society, government officials, and Pride event organizers from underrepresented regions in Eastern Germany.

The event, co-hosted with the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, effectively leveraged the current sports enthusiasm from Germany’s hosting of the European Football Championship . Key highlights included a keynote speech by Marcus Urban, a gay former professional soccer player and prominent anti-homophobia advocate, who recently launched a national campaign recognizing queer professional athletes. His insights underscored the power of sports in combatting hatred and homophobia. Additionally, the event featured a photo exhibit honoring the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising , marking its designation as a National Historic Monument and highlighting its pivotal role in the LGBTQI+ civil rights movement. Ambassador Gutmann, alongside Marcus Urban and German Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination Ferda Ataman , delivered compelling remarks, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to promoting LGBTQI+ human rights. The event underscored the importance of standing up against discrimination and celebrated the intersection of sports and advocacy in advancing equality.

References

News from Berlin