FORT MEADE, Md. –
Earlier this year, representatives from each of the Five Eyes partners’ respective Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Agender /Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) affinity groups established a regular forum to share ideas, successes, challenges, and support each other in breaking down barriers and building inclusion across our respective workforces.
The inaugural session of this forum took place one month after the issuance of President Biden’s “Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World” and specifically addressed section 5: “Building Coalitions of Like-Minded Nations and Engaging International Organizations in the Fight Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination.” As stated in the memorandum, “Bilateral relationships with allies and partners, as well as multilateral fora and international organizations, are key vehicles to promote respect for and protection of the human rights of LGBTQIA+ persons and to bring global attention to these goals.”
Moving forward, the Five Eyes Pride forum will hold regular, ongoing dialogue among our community with each organization taking turns to host. While each of our organizations comes from different backgrounds, we are all working together on LGBTQIA+ issues – and more often than not, these issues are similar across the Five Eyes countries. This forum allows us to learn from the different perspectives and backgrounds our partners bring, helping each of us to move towards innovative and exciting solutions and break down institutional barriers faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we can enable every member of our organizations and our extended IC communities to bring their whole selves to work.
NSA greatly appreciates the participants of the Five Eyes PRIDE forum, and their continuing dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community and commitment to supporting members throughout their careers.