LGBT leaders vow
to monitor human rights abuses

LGBT leaders from around the world said Monday that they passed a "historic" resolution this past weekend in Seattle during the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference. The document calls on "all nations and governments to adopt a vocal, clear, and consistent policy on international human rights abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people that includes a call on other countries to abolish sodomy laws." Attendees, some of whom traveled from as far away as Sri Lanka and Poland, vowed to continue to bring attention to the horrific record of some countries on this issue. For instance: --There are reports that in Iran more than 4,000 citizens have been executed since 1979 because they are gay or lesbian. --In Malaysia "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" is punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping. --Being gay in Saudi Arabia can lead to jail terms or even beheadings. The conference is a program of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, the nonprofit sister organization of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. The leaders also approved a resolution to "encourage all LGBT legislators and all other LGBT public officials to be open and honest about their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression." "These resolutions reflect the quality of the discussions that occurred and the seriousness of the issues discussed," said Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. "As the LGBT community continues to gain voices at all levels of policy-making and implementation, it's incumbent that we continue to speak up for those whose voices are silenced in countries that deny them rights simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender." (Advocate.com)