As a former New York State senator, I was both honored to be invited and happy to attend the 2021 LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference, its forums, and international activist networking, etc., took place during the week of August 15 and was a highlight of Copenhagen 2021 World Pride.
HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gave the opening address for the Human Rights Conference. Crown Princess Mary’s speech was riveting. It was passionate, insightful, and inspiring. and reflected her profound understanding of issues facing the LGBTQIA+ communities internationally. Her remarks set the tone for the extremely challenging tasks facing human rights activists worldwide. At the same time, Crown Princess Mary, the intensely determined activist — in part because Her Royal Highness wanted to open the conference, but more importantly through her words and call to action — uplifted all in attendance with her optimism and vision that equality and human and civil rights are attainable for all worldwide, and in particular, LGBTQIA+ communities everywhere.
