Obama to Sign U.N. Declaration Calling for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

[cali]

The Associated Press has learned that the Obama administration will sign a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that President George W. Bush had refused to endorse.

AP

Tuesday, March 17, 2009


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."

<snip>

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/17/obama-sign-declaration-calling-decriminalization-homosexuality/

[chemp]

1. We still live in the dark ages

The fact that this declaration is even needed, that governmets have criminalized what two adults do in their private times makes me weep.

[cali]

2. yes it's sad, but it's good news that the U.N

is standing up for those persecuted and that the U.S. is on board.

[wndycty]

3. Despite the attempts by some to paint Barack as an insensitive homophobe

I believe he is a vast improvement over Bush on GLBT issues (of course that probably was not hard) and most likely over McCain.

His embraces of McClurkin and Warren were ridiculous and are major blemishes on his record, however I still take issue with those who used those incidents to call him a homophobe. He is attempting to be inclusive and I agree that he is attempting to do so with folks who are undeserving of these effort but he is no homophobe.

[MADem]

9. Well, pretty much anyone is better than Bush on that issue and a zillion others.

It was political opportunism that brought McClurkin and Warren and Kirbyjon Caldwell and others to his stage, not homophobia.

That said, it's good he did this. It makes it harder for a future wingnut to unring that bell.

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. He is an improvement, there is no doubt about that. He still endorses bigotry, though

His adamant opposition to full, equal marriage cannot be painted any other color. Like most of the Democratic Party, he does not want to kill gay people; he is content merely to have someone else break our legs.

[cali]

11. hyperbole. No he doesn't endorse marriage equality

but to state that he endorses torture of GLBT folks is utter and stupid bullshit.

[TechBear_Seattle]

12. Someone needs a lesson in metaphor n/t

[cali]

13. no. someone needs to lessen their grip on hyperbole.

[TechBear_Seattle]

14. Yeah, the Democratic Party has done SO MUCH to support gay rights

They actively support my fundamental right to get married. They were instrumental in defeating Prop 8 and other constitutional amendments against marriage. They voiced strong, consistent opposition to Don't Ask/Don't Tell and the federal and many state "Defense" of Marriage Acts. Gay people and our human rights get regular, clear support in the state and national Democratic party platforms, and most of the Democrats in Congress and state legislatures around the country have worked very hard to guarantee that gay Americans will not be fired from their jobs, kicked out of rental housing or lose their health insurance for being gay.

Yeah, and I'm the Queen of Sheba.

The Democratic Party does not give a rat's ass about us, Cali, except for our votes and our cash. That is reality, not hyperbole. Witness the far-reaching and vociferous cries here at DU -- a far left-wing bastion when compared to rank-and-file Democrats -- telling us to shut up about irrelevant wedge issues when we try to bring our fundamental human rights to the campaign. Many, MANY times, long-time regulars have ordered us gay people either to shut the fuck up or just go away until after bigoted Democrats have been safely elected. Yes, it is not as bad as what Republicans say, but it is hardly what I would want from my alleged allies.

If you can provide a better analogy between Republican and Democratic attitudes towards gay people and our lacking of basic rights, I'd be glad to hear it.

[cali]

15. The democratic party in Vermont is the organized group fighting

for the marriage equality legislation under consideration- it will be passed due to dems fighting for it. President Obama opposed prop 8. He spoke against it. So did many other dems. The dem party supports legislation that protects the rights of gay americans re housing and employment.

In my state it was the dem party that fought for and instituted adoption rights, housing non-discrimination, non-discrimination on health care, etc. And they got this done almost 20 years ago.

So come to Vermont. Here you're the Queen of Sheba.

[Captain Hilts]

4. How 'bout getting the senate to ratify this-

[BOSSHOG]

6. Excellent idea

Let the neanderthals go on record. Although voting against such a measure would only solidify the base for the likes of diaper dave vitter.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Right. It's an embarassment, Boss. Make 'em stand up and be counted. nt

[ccharles000]

5. good

[DrDan]

8. good - and this will certainly frost those at FR

[Duncan Grant]

16. kick (nt)

:kick: