A dedicated campaigner for LGBT Pride in Europe has been awarded a well-deserved MBE. Clare Dimyon received the honour 'in recognition of her services to promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Central and Eastern Europe'. Clare founded Pride Solidarity and is an annual visitor to fledgling Pride celebrations in the region.
Tony Fenwick, co-chair of LGBT History Month, said:
"We're thrilled that Clare has been honoured with this award. As well as her tireless solidarity with Pride celebrations, she is keen to help us make LGBT History Month a Europe-wide celebration."
Clare's response was characteristically modest:
"I am only a visitor and witness to the Pride parades in Central and Eastern Europe and the determination of LGBT people (and their friends and families) to achieve their full human rights and dignity. I am delighted at this recognition for the LGBT people of C&E Europe. It is recognition and honour they richly deserve.
"I look forward to the day when their own countries recognise and honour them for their contribution, not only to the development of the human rights and dignity of LGBT people (and all minorities) but also to the embedding of democratic principles in the post-Soviet era.
"As I am prone to saying on my travels: 'Love is the answer, so what was the question?'"
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