Changemakers join legislators at GEC event in Sydney

As part of Sydney WorldPride, the Global Equality Caucus convened legislators, government officials and civil society representatives for a working dinner to discuss LGBT+ rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

The meeting, organised by the Caucus and hosted by the British Consulate-General Sydney, looked at legislative progress on equal rights in the region as well as the challenges that remain for LGBT+ people. Most importantly, legislators were able to identify how the Caucus can support their work, and civil society partners spoke about how lawmakers can work with them to advance priority causes.

With views over Sydney Harbour, the Caucus welcomed over 20 guests including legislators from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom and United States; legislators from New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Federal Parliament; Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality; Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity; Louisa Wall, New Zealand Ambassador for Gender Equality; Ambassador Chantale Wong, US Director of the Asian Development Bank; Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia; and civil society representatives from APCOM, the Equal Asia Foundation, the Global Fund, Tonga Leitis’ Foundation and Parliamentarians for Global Action.

The priorities discussed at the meeting will be taken forward by the Caucus and used to inform our wider strategy and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.