“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Nelson Mandela reminds us that the dignity of each of us can only thrive if we embrace the freedom of all.

We must respect everyone’s freedom to love who they want to and to express who they are. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have shown immense courage and are sparking a social transformation.

Criminalization of LGBTI people puts entire communities at risk. It keeps those in need of prevention and treatment services out of reach of life-saving interventions.

Not just in the streets, but in courtrooms, classrooms and clinics.

Stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity drive new HIV infections.

We can only be free when we respect the freedom of our LGBTI brothers and sisters.

Let us walk the road to freedom together.

On this International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, I call on everyone to join the transformation to realize our vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.