CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Islamic nations, led by Iran, objected on Monday to a new U.N. policy that would grant health care and other benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian staff members and to unmarried heterosexual couples if their home country allows it. In a bulletin issued in January, U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan took the cautious step toward recognizing nontraditional families, which U.N. officials said would affect only a small percentage of the staff. Iran, representing the 56-nation Organization of Islamic Conference, told a General Assembly finance committee that such a decision needed to be approved by the 191-member assembly and requested Annan submit "in writing a clarification and explanation." While the issue has not been resolved, many diplomats believe a resolution on the subject opposing Annan would fail. "Whereas no decision has been taken by the General Assembly to change the long-established scope of the family definition for the purposes of entitlements, therefore there is no justifiable basis for the approval of expenses," Iranian envoy Alireza Tootoonchian told the committee. Envoys from Indonesia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, and the Vatican echoed Iran's view. But Mehmet Sahin Onaner of Turkey urged prudence and noted that Annan had respected the legislative authority of member states. Margaret Stanley of Ireland, speaking on behalf of 25 European Union and associate members, called Annan's decision a "welcome step" that reflects his determination to modernize human resource management. She said she sees no reason to challenge Annan's prerogative as chief administrative officer. Canada and New Zealand agreed, with Canadian Jerry Kramer calling the decision "principled" in defining family status. The Bush administration, which is seeking a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, did not speak in Monday's debate. U.S. officials have not yet decided whether to oppose the new U.N. measure for American staff. The Netherlands, Belgium, and two Canadian provinces have legalized same-sex marriage. Scandinavian governments offer extensive nonmarital partnership rights for gay and straight citizens, while some comprehensive rights are offered in most Western European nations, Australia, and New Zealand. GLOBE, an advocacy group for U.N. gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees, has welcomed Annan's decision as a step toward recognizing diversity among U.N. staff and hopes all staff will be covered eventually.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
These 13 major companies caved to the far right and stopped DEI programs
January 24 2025 1:11 PM
True
Latest Stories
Publishers and library sue Idaho over book ban that defines 'homosexuality' as 'harmful to minors'
February 06 2025 12:35 PM
Anti-trans Republican Nancy Mace doubles down on dehumanizing transphobic slur during hearing
February 06 2025 10:27 AM
What does the science say about transgender women in sports?
February 06 2025 10:01 AM
It's time to build a sustainable future for LGBTQ+ advocacy work. Here's why
February 06 2025 7:00 AM
Democratic congressmen: Federal personnel office can't discriminate against trans Americans
February 05 2025 8:19 PM
Trump moves to ban international transgender athletes from 2028 Olympic Games
February 05 2025 5:21 PM
Donald Trump bans transgender athletes from playing sports
February 05 2025 4:15 PM
West Point military academy eliminates cadet clubs amid Trump’s diversity crackdown
February 05 2025 2:42 PM
15 Democratic state AGs stand by gender-affirming care
February 05 2025 2:39 PM
American satisfaction with state of LGBTQ+ rights reaches lowest point in over a decade
February 05 2025 2:05 PM
LGBTQ+ non-U.S. citizens at risk under Trump’s immigration crackdown: study
February 05 2025 12:56 PM
Lesbian cop wins $750k in sexual harassment lawsuit against former chief
February 05 2025 11:53 AM