As one group of minorities in the world, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex [LGBTQI+] community is the most marginalized in the world. From all walks of life and societies around the world, many people tend to base their perspective of people on face value. As the saying goes “Never judge a book by it’s cover,” many people around the world tend to judge people based on outward appearances, job titles, social standings, sexual preference e.t.c. and for 50 years, people around the world have been trying their best to breakdown this ideology. The Embassy of The United States to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu throughout the month of June is aiming to stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQI+ Community here in the country to breakdown these barriers. Flying the Rainbow Progress Flag, they will be sharing statements of support and LGBTQI+ Community information on all social media pages. You may be asking yourself, what is pride month? According to the Embassy, Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Uprising, a day in 1969 when LGBTQI+ people fought back against police mistreatment and discrimination in New York City. It’s a time for recognizing the beautiful diversity of the LGBTQI+ community and acknowledging the movement to advance human rights. Fast forward to 50 years later and the LGBTQI+ community is still fighting for inclusion. Unlike other countries, the LGBTQI+ community in PNG is not very vocal in advocating about their rights. This can be attributed to the social stigma and discrimination that they face on a day to day basis. People find it hard to come out and express themselves freely. Those that do face insults and harassment, either verbal or physical. In some parts of the country, they are even threatened. The embassy believes that too many countries today, access to LGBTQI+ related information is restricted and representation of LGBTQI+ issues is censored. Too often, Pride events themselves are banned by governments or violently disrupted by those motivated by hatred. In the United States it’s different. For decades, LGBTQI+ people were forced to hide that aspect of themselves from their communities, coworkers, and even family members. But now it’s different, the world is progressing towards the recognition and celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversity and according to the embassy, pride month is a way in which the LGBTQI+ community to know that they are seen and that the communities they live in value them. In recent years, one of the greatest strides that the US govt. has done for LGBTQI+ inclusion is US President Joseph Biden signing the Executive Order charging the Federal Government with preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This includes non-discriminatory protection for LGBTQI+ Americans in housing, health care, education, employment, credit and lending services, and the criminal justice system. The US Department of State is closely working to The U.S. Department of State is working to advance the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in line with President Biden’s Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons around the world. In the US, Pride month is often celebrated with pride parades, LGBTQI+ themed events, speeches, rallies, and flying a rainbow flag.