The Obama administration is stepping to the plate by issuing a statement tasking for the UN's support to stop discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world. This is a big step, y'all.
The U.S. declaration was made Tuesday, March 22 at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and had the support of more than 80 countries. Although it is not in the form of binding resolution, the American push for U.N. action has helped win over a handful of new countries to the cause. A resolution could be brought to a vote later this year.Feeling it.
The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. And despite growing acceptance for LGBT lifestyles in Western nations and parts of Latin America, lawyers say there is still a gap in human rights treaties for the protection of gays against discrimination and mistreatment.
"We are very concerned that individuals continue to be killed, arrested, and harassed around the world because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Suzanne Nossel, deputy assistant secretary of state for international organizations. "This statement sends a strong message from across the globe that such abuses should not be tolerated."
The U.S. document calls for nations to end any criminal punishments against lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, and asks the global body to review how governments treat them in the U.N.’s human rights assessments. It acknowledges that "these are sensitive issues for many," but insists that people must be freed from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
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1 comment:
This is a good thing. Especially when you think about these horrible, backward Islamic countries that persecute gays by imprisoning and even executing them.
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