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December 11, 2008

U.S. Still Unattached to United Nations' First Gay Rights Statement

U.S. Still Unattached to United Nations' First Gay Rights Statement

A United Nations joint statement calling for countries to decriminalize homosexuality and keep LGBT people safe has been backed by nearly every Western nation -- except possibly the United States.

A U.N. spokeswoman for the United States said the government has not shown its support because the statement has not been finalized, but U.K. gay activist Peter Tatchell says it has been put through the final steps.

"The U.S. government often berates Zimbabwe, Burma, and Sudan over their human rights violations," Tatchell said in an e-mail on Wednesday. "These condemnations will ring hollow if the U.S. refuses to support this U.N. joint statement. This is a test of the U.S. government's commitment to universal human rights. Washington will lose ever more respect and credibility if it fails to endorse this statement of support for LGBT human rights."

All 27 countries in the European Union have already approved of the French-proposed statement, to be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly by December 20. The Vatican -- which is neither a European Union member nor a voting member of the U.N. -- denounced the declaration last week. Additionally, several Eastern European countries, Mexico, Japan, and Australia have pledged their support to the statement. However, there is still not enough international support for a majority.

Tatchell said the joint statement represents a reduction from its initial status as a declaration, which tends to carry more weight in the United Nations. Some countries were apprehensive about signing onto a declaration, but consented to sign a joint statement instead. Tatchell is asking Americans to contact their representatives in Congress and the White House to urge them to support the statement.

With the landmark 2003 case Lawrence v. Texas the U.S. Supreme Court overturned 13 standing state laws that allowed authorities to arrest and prosecute people for gay sex. Still, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity are protected under federal hate-crime or nondiscrimination laws; such protections are urged in the statement.

As of May 2008, more than 80 countries around the world still criminalize consensual sex between two people of the same gender, according to a report by the International Lesbian and Gay Association. Among those counties, seven consider such offences punishable by death. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Brian
    Date posted: 2008-12-11 2:26 PM
    Hometown: anaheim

    Comment:

    I become increasingly ashamed of this country. It has dehumanized me and people like me. I will learn Spanish and when I retire (12 more years) my partner and I will be leaving here forever.


  • Name: Daryl
    Date posted: 2008-12-11 10:51 AM
    Hometown: Indy

    Comment:

    What did you expect from a socio-conservative society, strengthened by the Christian church, that is mostly uneducated when it comes to anything further than their own backyard? A country that is more concerned about changing the definition of the word marriage, than actually considering the humanity of the question itself? That doesn't even feel that gay people are worthy of defending the very country they live in?


  • Name: Ginelle
    Date posted: 2008-12-11 8:40 AM
    Hometown: British Columbia, Canada

    Comment:

    What does this say about the United States of America, supposedly being the most powerful nation on earth, a fighter for democracy and freedom, yet dragging it's feet on human rights. Could this be a sign that maybe the United States is guilty of autrocities that it is claiming to be fighting against. Or could it be that religious extremists in their battle to hold onto power are tightening their grip on the purse strings.


  • Name: Diederick
    Date posted: 2008-12-11 8:26 AM
    Hometown: Den Andel (NL)

    Comment:

    Before the UN, consider what voices America has failed to hear. The Netherlands has been doing great with gay marriage, for several years now. How come the US missed such a civilized country? (Small in dimensions, big on everything else.)


  • Name: Xavier
    Date posted: 2008-12-11 4:20 AM
    Hometown: Amsterdam, NL

    Comment:

    Shame on the US.!!!! It just goes to show you that even socially conservative countries like Japan, Mexico and Eastern European nations can put their cultural and religious opinions aside and acknowledge that gays should be protected from abuse just like every other human being.


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