Gay and lesbian rights were considered for the first time by the United General Assembly this week, creating a nonbinding declaration to decriminalize homosexuality. The declaration in a general session was defeated as only sixty-six of the 192 member nations signed the declaration. That should come as no surprise. What should shock all of us is that the United States was one of the nations who refused to sign the declaration. That’s right. The U.S. refused to sign a declaration decriminalizing homosexuality! In fact, the United States was the only western country to refuse to sign the declaration of decriminalization.
Diplomats said a joint statement initiated by France and the Netherlands gathered 66 signatures in the 192-nation assembly after it was read out by Argentina at a plenary session. A rival statement, read out by Syria, gathered some 60.
The reason for the declaration as offered in favor of the decriminalization of homosexuality…
According to sponsors of the Franco-Dutch text, homosexuality is illegal in 77 countries, seven of which punish it by death.
The European Union-backed document, noting that the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was marked this month, said those rights applied equally to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
It urged states “to take all the necessary measures, in particular legislative or administrative, to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.”
And, the U.S. couldn’t sign on to that? Oh, please. The gay and lesbian community in the U.S. is taking a beating this week. First, Obama pulls Rick Warren out of his ass hat. Then, on Thursday the U.S. refuses to sign a declaration of basic equality in the United Nations. Fundamentalism is alive and well in America.
Think about this… even Armenia signed the declaration!
Armenian blogger “Artmika” calls his country’s support of the decriminalization declaration “historic,” writing that it is the first time Armenia has set such an example.
Europe voted 100% for the declaration.
France did not have sufficient support for an official resolution, so instead put forth the nonbinding declaration (co-sponsored by the Netherlands). All 27 European Union members supported the decriminalization declaration.
In closing… a note to a dear friend in U.K. :
Bob,
Do not ring me up to ask about witch hunts or barbarians. We apparently have yet to evolve into a tolerant culture. I owe you a pint on this one.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
i have a sister, who is a lesbian, who one day i want to see with her partner, have kids, living a good life….our nation is still one full of idiots…………
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