Distinguished artists, Dear friends,

Thank you for this special benefit concert.

The United Nations fully supports your goal of raising awareness and badly needed funds for activists around the world advancing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

I stand with them – and all of you – in this struggle.

The United Nations is here to defend the rights of every single person – no exceptions.

I refuse to be silent and watch millions of people suffer discrimination and brutal, even deadly violence simply because of who they are or whom they love.

Together, we can end these abuses. We can change laws AND attitudes.

“Uprising of Love” is such a fitting title for your concert. We need to fight with compassion.

I am doing everything possible for the UN Free & Equal campaign. But I need your help.

Celina Jaitly [“Ce-leen-ah Jayt-lee”], our UN Equality Champion, has shown how far our voices can reach.

The moving United Nations video she made has been viewed more than two million times. It has opened hearts in families as part of our push to change the world.

We will rise up until all people are free and equal. That is my pledge.

Thank you.