
The U.S. Embassy is under attack from conservative Pakistani journalists for organizing the first ever gay, lesbians and transgender pride celebration in Islamabad.

On the occassion, the U.S. assured it would continue to support the gay cause in Pakistan, Pak Tribune newspaper reported.
The U.S. Embassy issued a press release on June 26 in which it made it public that Charge d’ Affaires Richard E. Hoagland, and members of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) hosted Islamabad Embassy’s first ever gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Pride Celebration on June 26.
The Muslim Brotherhood of Pakistan took to the streets to protest the event at the U.S. embassy
The embassy press release stated that the gathering demonstrated continued U.S. support for human rights, including G.L.B.T. rights, in Pakistan at a time when those rights are increasingly under attack from extremist elements throughout Pakistani society.
Over 75 people including mission officers, U.S. military representatives, foreign diplomats, and leaders of Pakistani G.L.B.T. advocacy groups attended the ceremony. In formal remarks, Hoagland underscored President Obama’s May 31, 2011 GLBT Pride Proclamation: “We rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity”.
Addressing the Pakistani GLBT activists, Hoagland, while acknowledging that the struggle for G.L.B.T. rights in Pakistan is just beginning, said: “I want to be clear that the U.S. Embassy is here to support you and stand by your side every step of the way.”
Pakistani journalists voiced strong reservations to the move, however.
"Putting a statement about Gays and Lesbians Pride Celebrations is self-explanatory about the U.S. agenda," said journalist Baqir Sajjad. "The gay and lesbian rights may be something close to your heart, but U.S. embassy must at the same time acknowledge that Pakistan is a conservative society, whose traditions and values don’t allow homosexuality."
Sajjad said there was no doubt there are gays and lesbians in Pakistani society, some of whom were also invited to the celebration, but promoting it publicly will always be seen as an offense to Islam and Pakistani values.
Sajjad referred to State Department’s document on privileges of American diplomats, which clearly asks all personnel stationed overseas to respect local laws.
At least one journalist suggested a national campaign against the Islamabad event, but another widely respected journalist Imtiaz Gul warned, "Don't make more fun of yourself by initiating such a campaign; are you suggesting there are no gays, lesbians, in Pakistan? The phenomenon exists in the country but - as many other issues - people tend to duck under denial."
Sajjad asks why would the US like to court a few engaged in an activity considered immoral in the country at the cost of the majority and then complain about Pakistanis being hostile to them.
Though homosexuality is officially taboo in Pakistan, there are widespread rumors that Bilawal Zardari, London-based son of President Asif Ali Zardari is a closetted gay.
Likewise, Pakistan ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Abdullah Hussain Haroon and his publisher brother Hameed Haroon, their late uncle and Pakistan movement worker Yusuf Haroon, President Zardari's special envoy Zia Ispahani, former education minister Anita Ghulamali, famous architect Habib Fida Ali, and former P.P.P. leader Makhdoom Khaliquzzaman are few of the prominent gays from Pakistan.

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