Gay groups
rejected by United Nations

The United States has voted against allowing two gay rights organizations to join the United Nations Economic and Social Council, angering the groups and other gay rights leaders. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the United States joined the "repressive, antigay regimes" of Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon, and others in voting against even granting a hearing to the applications of the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians. The two groups' applications were summarily dismissed.

"It is an absolute outrage that the United States has chosen to align itself with tyrants--all in a sickening effort to smother the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people around the world," said Matt Foreman, executive director of NGLTF. "Apparently Iran, which President Bush has deemed part of the 'Axis of Evil,' is a suitable partner when it comes to discriminating against gay people."

The governments of Iran and Zimbabwe are among the most repressive antigay regimes in the world, Foreman said. President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has long scapegoated and persecuted gay men and lesbians. The recently elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has overseen an antigay campaign in recent months, in which many young people accused of gay sex acts have been executed. Also leading the charge against the applications of the two gay groups was Egypt, which has persecuted gay men in recent years.

Three years ago the United States abstained from voting on a sexual orientation nondiscrimination resolution offered by Brazil via the U.N. Human Rights Commission. (Advocate.com)