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Loading ...Sources: US to sign UN gay rights declaration
03.18.2009 9:10am EDT
(Washington) The Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign, The Associated Press has learned.
U.S. officials said Tuesday they had notified the declaration’s French sponsors that the administration wants to be added as a supporter. The Bush administration was criticized in December when it was the only western government that refused to sign on.The move was made after an interagency review of the Bush administration’s position on the nonbinding document, which was signed by all 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries, the officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Congress was still being notified of the decision. They said the administration had decided to sign the declaration to demonstrate that the United States supports human rights for all.
“The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world,” said one official.
“As such, we join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora,” the official said.
The official added that the United States was concerned about “violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals” and was also “troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries.”
“In the words of the United States Supreme Court, the right to be free from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation ‘has been accepted as an integral part of human freedom’,” the official said.
Gay rights and other groups had criticized the Bush administration when it refused to sign the declaration when it was presented at the United Nations on Dec. 19. U.S. officials said then that the U.S. opposed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but that parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review.
According to negotiators, the Bush team had concerns that those parts could commit the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In some states, landlords and private employers are allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed to serve openly in the military.
It was not immediately clear on Tuesday how the Obama administration had come to a different conclusion.
When it was voted on in December, 66 of the U.N.’s 192 member countries signed the declaration – which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with anti-gay discrimination.
But 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality – and in several, homosexual acts can be punished by execution. More than 50 nations, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, opposed the declaration.
Some Islamic countries said at the time that protecting sexual orientation could lead to “the social normalization and possibly the legalization of deplorable acts” such as pedophilia and incest. The declaration was also opposed by the Vatican.
“There are other agendas that Obama is dealing with, such as “ECOMOMY”, “THE WAR IN IRAQ” and other “high profile” businesses screwing the public into the ground.”
No, Kris, I’m not going to “rip you a new one”. I also had high hopes for Obama. They were dashed last January.
The assertion, however, that the Obama administration has bigger fish to fry is already getting old. I happened to catch a story on CNN last week about the Obama team’s new energy initiative. It seems while we in the gay community have been trying to bring attention to our civil rights issues, the Obama administration has been working hard to create a new logo for their brand new energy initiative. That’s right, your tax dollars hard at work creating new freakin’ logos!
So….You’re right, Kris. It’s all about priorities.
This is good news and I hope that it is the sign of things to come.
Regarding the push by the Islamic states and the Vatican to prevent this measure from being adopted by the U.N.- it just goes to show how evil the combination of religion and politics is.
I know everything is going slower than molasses/(msp?). President Barack Obama, has been in office?? less than 2 months. I am a “die-hard” Obama supporter, and unless I’m wrong, he is doing more than past presidents have done in less than 2 months. Do you honestly think that we would be doing better with “McCain/Palin”?
I know I’m going to get ripped a new one from others on this site. Start ripping.
There are other agendas that Obama is dealing with, such as “ECOMOMY”, “THE WAR IN IRAQ” and other “high profile” businesses screwing the public into the ground. Always remember this, since “BUSH/DICK” took over the presidency, our country went down like a steaming pile of crap, that has such a horrible smell, that it will last for the next 50 years.
I know “Obama” promised alot, can he have the time to at least wet his feet before “Obama haters” start slamming him down so hard?
to me Obama is a good thing, not the devil like “W”…okay start ripping me a new one…..
Hey, Obama-doubters (of which I’m ambivalently one), here’s a pretty good analysis of what I also think is the Obama administration’s strategy on same-sex matters: .
Good luck!
Antonio
Toronto, Canada
I think that this is a great step forward for the United States. If California does decide to repeal Prop 8 and DOMA is repealed nationally, we may see more rights popping up on the state level, and that is giving me hope. We will reach full equality one day.
Like Morgan said, “Don’t bow down and cave in to those hate groups.”
Right all… this is what he said in a signed letter: “I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law.” — Senator Barack Obama, in a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, March 2008
We are waiting for him to follow up on his promise… forget about your ‘papa in the evangelical pulpit’… and be a man and allow all in the US equal rights.
I think that Vatican now, under Pope Benedict, is becoming a dangerous and hazardous entity.
To you DeaninMI, many others and I a mixed signal but don’t forget those hate groups must have been “angling” for Obama’s attention and “the squeakiest wheels get the grease!!!!”
Remain vigilant everyone and keep a watch on Obama and the doings of these hate groups and keep exerting pressure on Obama and on your congresspeople not to bow down and cave in to these hate groups. They are writing, calling and visiting are we??
DeaninMI Said: “According to another site, Joshua Dubois, Obama’s Faith-based Office head, invited the Family Research Council and the Concerned Women for America hate groups to speak with him yesterday. Mixed signals, anyone?”
Depends upon the topics of conversation and the position taken by Dubois. Not enough info to tell if this is a good or bad thing yet.
“Nice to see the Obama administration finally give a nod to the rights of gays. Too bad it wasn’t on the home front!”
Yesterday was certainly a fun day for the Obama administration. While they were giving that “nod” to the gay community, they were meeting with some anti-gay hate groups. According to another site, Joshua Dubois, Obama’s Faith-based Office head, invited the Family Research Council and the Concerned Women for America hate groups to speak with him yesterday. (I’m guessing 365gay is looking for confirmation before reporting it).
Mixed signals, anyone?
KaninZ Said: “This rings pretty hollow when the US doesn’t even recognize the fact that gay families even exist!”
Took the words right out of my mouth.
Islamic countries and the Vatican oppose this declaration – how NOT surprising. Cultist belief systems always bond.
As Etta James said: “At Last”
This is progress we could believe in. Thank you president Obama. Next, let’s repeal DOMA, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and Prop 8. I will be happier as a human being when those three objectives are met.
“They said the administration had decided to sign the declaration to demonstrate that the United States supports human rights for all.”
This rings pretty hollow when the US doesn’t even recognize the fact that gay families even exist!
President Obama, we’re waiting!
Nice to see the Obama administration finally give a nod to the rights of gays. Too bad it wasn’t on the home front!