WATCH: The Speech You’ve Been Waiting For

[xchrom]

http://news.advocate.com/post/13844217337/watch-the-speech-youve-been-waiting-for

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s address before the United Nations in Geneva will be remembered by history, with the Secretary of State unabashedly arguing to the world that LGBT rights are human rights.

Read the Complete Transcript of the Speech, as Provided By the State Department:

SECRETARY CLINTON: Good evening, and let me express my deep honor and pleasure at being here. I want to thank Director General Tokayev and Ms. Wyden along with other ministers, ambassadors, excellencies, and UN partners. This weekend, we will celebrate Human Rights Day, the anniversary of one of the great accomplishments of the last century.

Beginning in 1947, delegates from six continents devoted themselves to drafting a declaration that would enshrine the fundamental rights and freedoms of people everywhere. In the aftermath of World War II, many nations pressed for a statement of this kind to help ensure that we would prevent future atrocities and protect the inherent humanity and dignity of all people. And so the delegates went to work. They discussed, they wrote, they revisited, revised, rewrote, for thousands of hours. And they incorporated suggestions and revisions from governments, organizations, and individuals around the world.

[jefferson_dem]

1. Wonderful.

Thanks for posting.

[William769]

2. Time to have your eyes checked.

Recommended.

[xchrom]

3. now my editing time is expired. bah! i need a magnifying glass to go

with my optometrists appointment.

[Duncan Grant]

4. This is an amazing, *historic* speech. A higher standard has been set.

Why isn't there more discussion about this? :shrug:

The entire speech is amazing, I found this to be especially powerful:

"And finally, to LGBT men and women worldwide, let me say this: Wherever you live and whatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a network of support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone. People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face. That is certainly true for my country. And you have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions of friends among the American people."

Wow. Just wow.

[William769]

5. Unfortunately there are several posts here on DU2 and DU3

Not all consolidated in one spot.

[MNBrewer]

6. Are we going to start accepting GLBT refugees?

Fleeing acknowledged persecution in their home country? I hope so! I doubt we will though.

[Duncan Grant]

7. We'll probably find out soon enough. I'm hopeful.

Big O's record of equivocation aside...the government did this yesterday, too:

Link: U.S. Same-Sex Deportation Case Involving Argentinean Woman Dropped

Things are looking up. I think we're seeing some substantive leadership in some areas of LGBT civil rights. And, as we all know, there's such a damn long way to go.

[redqueen]

8. I can't seem to find the "main" thread either, if there is one.

I just wanted to share my favorite part of this speech as well... because it is so, so good... brings tears to my eyes.

Today, I want to talk about the work we have left to do to protect one group of people whose human rights are still denied in too many parts of the world today. In many ways, they are an invisible minority. They are arrested, beaten, terrorized, even executed. Many are treated with contempt and violence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuse. They are denied opportunities to work and learn, driven from their homes and countries, and forced to suppress or deny who they are to protect themselves from harm. I am talking about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, human beings born free and given bestowed equality and dignity,who have a right to claim that, which is now one of the remaining human rights challenges of our time.

[Duncan Grant]

9. Future documentaries about LGBT people will reference this speech.

I think it's that important. :thumbsup:

[redqueen]

10. It sure felt like a watershed moment...

like we might actually be about to start moving toward the kind of progress that the most progressive countries have made on this issue.