Sunday is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
U.S. President Barack Obama said it is a day "to celebrate the dignity of every person, and to underscore that all people deserve to live free from fear, violence, and discrimination, regardless of who they are or whom they love."
Obama said the fight for equality "will not be won in a day," but will continue "until we are all able to live free and equal in dignity and rights."
U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said the U.S. stands "in solidarity with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and all those around the world, who work to advance the unassailable principle that LGBT rights are human rights."
Rice said the "recent unconscionable comments" by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh "underscore why we must continue to seek a world in which no one lives in fear of violence or persecution."
Jammeh said last week he would "slit the throats" of men in his country who wanted to marry other men.
Rice called on all countries to "lead inclusively, repudiate intolerance and promote respect for the universal rights and fundamental freedoms of all people."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said "we each have a responsibility to oppose this rising tide of violence and discrimination." He said "it's absolutely the right thing to do, but beyond that, greater protection of human rights also leads to greater stability and prosperity."
