Clinton: U.S. to Fight Antigay Violence Worldwide

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed in a recent address that the United States would fight antigay violence wherever it exists in the world.

Clinton made the remarks at the Roosevelt Institute's Four Freedoms Medals Gala Dinner on September 11 in New York City, where she received the institute's Four Freedoms Award.

"[We] must condemn violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity," said Clinton, according to journalist Rex Wockner. "In country after country after country, young men and women are persecuted, are singled out, even murdered in cold blood, because of who they love or just based on claims that they are gay."

"We are starting to track violence against the LGBT community, because where it happens anywhere in the world, the United States must speak out against it and work for its end," Clinton continued, according to Wockner. "Through our annual human rights report, we are documenting human rights abuses against LGBT communities worldwide. And we are seeking out partners at the United Nations such as Brazil, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands to help us address these human rights abuses."

In March, the Obama administration announced that it would sign a United Nations declaration calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, in a reversal of policy from the Bush administration.