Greetings to all involved in the 21st annual Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. My husband Emerson and I congratulate you for your efforts in raising public awareness about LGBT people and the fundamental fact that in the words of Hillary Clinton "gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights." We are particularly pleased that two new American films will be part of this year's festival. "Vito" is a documentary about gay rights activist, journalist and writer Vito Russo. "Cloudburst" is a joint Canadian / American film featuring Academy Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis in a story about a pair of lesbian seniors who flee their old age home to drive to Canada to marry. Both films and the charming comedy Gayby" tell deeply human stories about the LGBT experience, and I am delighted to see them being shared with the Japanese viewers of this year's festival. Warm regards to all of you, and enjoy the festival!