US demanding gay rights support at UN body

Dan82 · Mar 22, 2011

http://hosted2.ap.org/apdefault/548...ay Rights/id-f9507a9df47c479c8117484b8c42fb07

The Obama administration will introduce its first statement calling for the United Nations' top human rights body to combat discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world, completing a U.S. reversal from years of ambiguity on the subject during the presidency of George W. Bush.

The U.S. declaration will be made Tuesday at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and has 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.

The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. And despite growing acceptance for homosexuality 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...

http://hosted2.ap.org/apdefault/548...ay Rights/id-f9507a9df47c479c8117484b8c42fb07
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Ethan · Mar 22, 2011

I can't wait to see how this goes down. I do enjoy seeing bible thumpers get furious and spout off fallacies.

US demanding gay rights support at UN body

Dan82
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US demanding gay rights support at UN body

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