The United States Endorses UN Gay Rights Message

Last month the Obama administration formally endorsed a U.N. statement calling 4 the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, a measure that former President George W. Bush had refused 2 sign. This was the administration's latest in reversing Bush-era decisions, that have been heavily criticized by human rights and other groups. The United States was the only western nation not 2 sign on 2 the declaration when it came up at the U.N. General Assembly in December.

"The United States supports the U.N.'s statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity and is pleased 2 join the other 66 U.N. member states who have declared their support of the statement," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood. "The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world," Wood told reporters. "As such, we join with other supporters of this statement, and we will continue 2 remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora." The Associated Press reported that the administration would endorse the statement.

"The administration's leadership on this issue will be a powerful rebuke of an earlier Bush administration position that sought 2 deny the universal application of human rights protections 2 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals," said Mark Bromley of the Council for Global Equality, which promotes equal rights 4 same-sex loving individuals. "This is long past overdue and we are encouraged by the signal it sends that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will now be considered human rights," said Rea Carey, the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Human rights groups had criticized the Bush administration when it refused 2 sign the statement when it was presented at the United Nations on Dec. 19. U.S. officials said then that the U.S. opposed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but that parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review. The Bush team had concerns that those sections could commit the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In some states, landlords and private employers are allowed 2 discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed 2 serve openly in the military.

All 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia and Mexico endorsed the rights as well. But 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality and in several, homosexual acts can be punished by execution. More than 50 nations, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, opposed the declaration. Some Islamic countries said at the time that protecting sexual orientation could lead to "the social normalization and possibly the legalization of deplorable acts" such as pedophilia and incest. The declaration was also opposed by the Vatican.

What baffles me is how people compare same-sex relationships 2 pedophilia and incest! Excuse me! Pedophilia is when an adult has a sexual desire 4 a child! Incest is when closely related people have sexual intercourse, such as those in polygamy camps! So how in the world does this compare 2 people of the same-sex? Once I even heard the gospel singing group "Mary, Mary" compare gays and lesbians 2 murderers! I mean seriously, people's assumptions and personal analogies are downright ridiculous. Pedophiles are allowed 2 run churches, work in schools and live next door 2 us. Incest takes place everyday and yet those who commit these actions are never bothered. So why must 2 adults of the same-sex that genuinely love each other, get the worst rap of all other illegal actions, when what we're doing isn't even illegal?!

I'll never understand it........

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