We wrote about the United States' initial refusal to sign a United Nations (UN) bill calling for decriminalization of homosexuality around the world. Over 86 countries treat homosexuality as a crime, and in 7 of those the death penalty is applied.
Fox reports, "When it was voted on in December, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the declaration — which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with anti-gay discrimination."
Those 66 did not include the United States under the Bush Administration, but the Obama administration has signaled that it will join those 66 countries in supporting the resolution. Hopefully the United States' seal of approval will spur other nations on the fence to do the same.
While the resolution can do little, the message it sends is undoubtedly important. I thought the fact that the United States, the defender of human rights around the world, didn't agree to sign on was an embarrassment. I'm glad it's being corrected.
What do you guys think of the decision?
– Andy
About time! Obama isn’t perfect on gay issues, but he’s a lot better than Bushie!
I’m no Republican (Gods be praised!), but I can’t honestly say I’m not suspicious of this new guy either. It does have to do with his race, but not so much because of him as it is because of those who back him. I may be a bit of a conspiracy theorist (it’s not paranoia when you’re right), but when the powerbrokers of the world are in secret meetings to “discuss” how to address “pressing social issues”, I can honestly say I think Obama’s just a puppet. All sorts of measures can be passed by his puppeteers, and if anyone tries to oppose it, they’re shut down as racists. There’s a time and a place for political correctness. However, we also need to be able to find a way to go “Nothing personal, but,” and let each other have it! Until we can honestly, openly, directly, and rudely argue with each other without fighting, we’re getting nowhere. The class act’s a nice gesture, but I won’t be satisfied until the signature supercedes DOMA as a treaty under US and international law, as per the Constitution.