U.S seeks equality for India's LGBT community

Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights at the US State department, Sarah Sewall, has pushed for an end to discrimination against the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community in India.

"Attitudes that are very firmly held, that deny others freedom, can change. In the U.S, it was the same for Afro-Americans and women too. The U.S is repeatedly raising voice against this around the world," Sewall said last evening while delivering a speech on 'Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century'.

The Under Secretary said culture was not an excuse to deny fundamental rights to anyone.

"We aren't just talking about cultural issues. We are talking about people. And people should be allowed to express what they are," Sewall added.

She also said that both India and the U.S. can work together on issues like women empowerment adding that President Obama had also called for an end to gender based violence in his country.

Sewall, who is also the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, will also be travelling to Dharamsala to discuss Tibetan refugee issues.

She explained that the U.S works closely with the refugees there and looks at how assistance programmes are working.

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