The president of Brazil joined President Obama in calling for special recognition of, and greater tolerance for sexual deviancy, saying they'll work within the Organization of American States (OAS).
For background, read Obama 'In Bed' with Homosexuals for 2012 and also read Obama Administration Advances Gay Agenda at UN
-- From "US demanding gay rights support at UN body" by Bradley Klapper, Associated Press 3/21/11
The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. And despite growing acceptance for homosexuality in Western nations and parts of Latin America, lawyers say there is still a gap in human rights treaties for the protection of gays against discrimination and mistreatment.
Obama has stepped up the case for gay rights in recent months, winning a congressional vote to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military and urging last weekend in a joint statement with the Brazilian president for the establishment of a special investigator to monitor respect for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals in the Western Hemisphere.
Under the Bush administration, the U.S. policy was markedly different. The administration didn't support a French resolution at the U.N. General Assembly in 2008 that addressed similar concerns, joining Russia, China, the Vatican and Islamic states in opposition. The U.S. explained its position at the time in technical terms, saying it was fearful of language that would infringe on the right of American states to legislate matters such as gay marriage.
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From "Joint Statement by [Brazilian] President Rousseff and President Obama" posted at Office of the Press Secretary, The White House 3/19/11
The leaders stressed the shared commitment to promote and protect human rights and to support the consolidation of democracy around the world.
. . . They agreed to cooperate in advancing democracy, human rights and freedom for all people bilaterally and through the United Nations and other multilateral fora . . . promoting respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through the establishment of a Special Rapporteur at the OAS . . .
To read the entire statement from the White House, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 3/24/11: From "Obama Administration Presses Its Homosexual ‘Rights’ Agenda on Other Nations" by Penny Starr, CNSNews.com
On Tuesday, the United States joined 84 other countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council in a joint commitment to end acts of violence and human rights abuses on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The joint statement produced by the Human Rights Council – a body dominated by Islamic nations and their allies -- did not come easily. “Over the past months our diplomats have been engaged in frank, and at times difficult, conversations about the human rights of LGBT persons with governments from around world,” the White House noted.
The HRC’s joint statement itself alludes to difficulties: “We acknowledge that these are sensitive issues for many, including in our own societies. We affirm the importance of respectful dialogue, and trust that there is common ground in our shared recognition that no-one should face stigmatisation, violence or abuse on any ground. In dealing with sensitive issues, the Council must be guided by the principles of universality and non-discrimination,” the statement reads.
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