Valuing diversity, which includes diversity of sexual preference, brings enormous benefits. Clearly people who are able to bring the whole of themselves to work or to social life, including their sexual identity, are likely to be able to be more productive and constructive. However, research from the UK and elsewhere suggests that it is still very difficult for gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender people to indeed be themselves at work, or in other areas of life and the issues they face relating to ‘coming out’ are complex and multifaceted. There are especially difficulties in countries where for legal, religious or cultural reasons coming out is life threatening and/or isolating. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people continue to face discrimination and exclusion. 
Both male and female same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the Republic of Turkey since 1858, and transsexuals have been able to change their legal gender since 1988. Turkey was also the first Muslim-majority country to hold a gay pride march. The first march in Istanbul in 2003 attracted just 30 people, but today over 100,000 people participate.
While LGBT rights have undoubtedly improved in the 21st century, LGBT people in Turkey and in the UK still live in fear of discrimination, harassment, and even violence. . There is some way to go before LGBT individuals attain full acceptance in our societies.
Therefore I would like to encourage as many people as possible to join me in supporting the fiveFilms4freedom which is the world’s first global digital LGBT film festival. The project is a partnership between the British Council, British Film Institute and Flare, the London LGBT Film Festival. For 10 days 5 films from the 2015 Flare Festival will be accessible to people around the world through BFI Player and will be promoted on British Council’s website.
On Wednesday 25 March fiveFilms4freedom is launching a 24-hour social media campaign in which all of us can show solidarity with the LGBT community. Solidarity comes from joining together, empathising and identifying actions that can create positive change. You can support and promote the campaign on social media by using the hashtag #FiveFilms4Freedom.
The UK prides itself on being a diverse country with a high degree of individual freedom – including in sexual orientation and artistic expression. I was very proud of the role the British Embassy recently played in sponsoring a ground-breaking Turkish film on this subject. My Child focuses on the experiences of a group of Turkish parents adjusting to the fact that their children are transgender. It is a moving portrayal with a universal message: that love is unconditional. I encourage all of you to watch this film.
By promoting films such as “My Child” and fiveFilms4freedom project we are highlighting the tolerance and approach to human rights that are so important in our culture. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the UK’s cutting edge film industry and BFI Flare’s pioneering role in supporting freedom and equality everywhere.
Over the course of one single day, you too can show that love is a basic human right by joining people everywhere in watching one of these films online. Please join us.