In a First, Gay Rights Are Pressed at the U.N.

[babylonsister]

In a First, Gay Rights Are Pressed at the U.N.

By NEIL MACFARQUHAR
Published: December 18, 2008


UNITED NATIONS — An unprecedented declaration seeking to decriminalize homosexuality won the support of 66 countries in the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, but opponents criticized it as an attempt to legitimize pedophilia and other “deplorable acts.”

The United States refused to support the nonbinding measure, as did Russia, China, the Roman Catholic Church and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The Holy See’s observer mission issued a statement saying that the declaration “challenges existing human rights norms.”

The declaration, sponsored by France with broad support in Europe and Latin America, condemned human rights violations based on homophobia, saying such measures run counter to the universal declaration of human rights.

“How can we tolerate the fact that people are stoned, hanged, decapitated and tortured only because of their sexual orientation?” said Rama Yade, the French state secretary for human rights, noting that homosexuality is banned in nearly 80 countries and subject to the death penalty in at least six.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/world/19nations.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

[terrya]

1. This is a new low for this administration.

It's not a surprise, but it's sickening and shameful.

[babylonsister]

2. I agree, terrya, but I do have hope that

we might be at a turning point for human and civil rights.
All the talk about Warren, Prop 8, etc., has got to be opening some eyes. I'm trying to keep the faith.

[Creideiki]

6. No turning point

Obama's skeeved out by teh gays.

[babylonsister]

7. Sure he is. What a stupid remark. nt

[Creideiki]

9. I know, you have a lot of history with Barack

Because you're from Illinois, right?

You know exactly what he did and did not do for people that he considers morally inferior.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[babylonsister]

14. So what do you call this? Did you research this?

And I'm really impressed with you calling names on a message board. Tough guy. Sticks and stones...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8006388&mesg_id=8006410

[Creideiki]

16. Wow, tough girl. You started.

And, Obama was not the sponsor for the Illinois ENDA when it passed. It wasn't a priority, he didn't push for it. But he wanted his name because the political opportunist in him said it was a good thing.

Oddly enough, his BFF Rev. James Meeks voted against it. That's right. The whole time he was oozing charisma and leadership in the Illinois legislature, he couldn't convince his good friend to even accept the Illinois legislative copout--voting "present".

[babylonsister]

17. Mr. Meeks is not the issue, is he, but you do go on. If you dislike Obama

so much and think he's such a political opportunist, why are you here? We're supposed to be supporting the Dem nominee around here last I heard.

There must be someone out there who has done more who you can go cheerlead for. I just don't know who that would be.

[Creideiki]

18. The issue is that Obama did not get the Illinois ENDA passed as sponsor

As for the rest, be as heterosexist as you want.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. My head exploded at the first sentence.

opponents criticized it as an attempt to legitimize pedophilia and other “deplorable acts.”

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[babylonsister]

5. That blew my mind, too. What century is this? nt

[Bluenorthwest]

20. That quote is almost exactly

what Rick Warren says. He equates my family with pedophiles other criminals. He's going to open the new administration with prayer! What century is this?

[MikeE]

4. Well, hopefully uner the new administration

it will get reintroduced and the US will support it. I think there are going to be a lot of things reintroduced after Jan 20th

[CitizenPatriot]

8. Another moment of supreme embarrassment for the US

Nice going, Bush. Of course he wouldn't want to support anyone's human rights. God Forbid.

And the RCC, well...that's just...so hypocritical.

What year is this??? Unbelievable.

[Me.]

10. The Catholic Church Is A Member Of The UN?

What the hell?

[muriel_volestrangler]

22. The Vatican is a 'permanent observer'

Non-member State having received a standing invitation to participate as observer in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining permanent observer mission at Headquarters

Holy See

http://www.un.org/members/nonmembers.shtml

So they don't get to vote or sign things, but can shoot their mouth off when they feel like it.

[Toucano]

13. The company you keep.

Surprise, surprise.

The United States, China, Russia, and the Islamic Conference finally agree about something.

How noble.

[Toucano]

15. The official U.S. excuse is to defend marriage.

People, it seems, need to die to defend heterosexual marriage.

The official American position was based on highly technical legal grounds. The text, by using terminology like “without distinction of any kind,” was too broad because it might be interpreted as an attempt by the federal government to override states’ rights on issues like gay marriage, American diplomats and legal experts said.

“We are opposed to any discrimination, legally or politically, but the nature of our federal system prevents us from undertaking commitments and engagements where federal authorities don’t have jurisdiction,” said Alejandro D. Wolff, the deputy permanent representative.


Funny. I thought the Feds did have jurisdiction over capital punishment.

[blogslut]

19. kick

And recommended

[Swamp Rat]

21. k&r