US to sign UN gay rights declaration

[kpete]

Source: Associated Press

Sources: US to sign UN gay rights declaration

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign, The Associated Press has learned.

U.S. officials said Tuesday they had notified the declaration's French sponsors that the administration wants to be added as a supporter. The Bush administration was criticized in December when it was the only western government that refused to sign on.

The move was made after an interagency review of the Bush administration's position on the nonbinding document, which was signed by all 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries, the officials said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Congress was still being notified of the decision. They said the administration had decided to sign the declaration to demonstrate that the United States supports human rights for all.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_gay_rights

[Demeter]

1. You Know, All This Frosting Is Nice, But Where's The Cake?

Specifically, prosecutions of war criminals, frauds, traitors, and such? And nationalizations of zombie corporations. And progressive taxation, removing tax cuts for the rich, all those bread and butter, law and order, commonwealth stuff.

We can't live on frosting like the GOPpers do. It's not enough to do some "progressive window dressing" which only affects people overseas. We need something at home for We the People.

[AndyA]

2. I agree. Send the "progressive window dressing" to Laura Bush, she needs

a few more pant suits, and those old draperies are made of tough material.

It's past time for decisive, affirmative movement that actually benefits those who have been cast aside and relegated to second class citizenry by society.

Enough with the cosmetics already.

[Zenlitened]

4. This doesn't seem to have diverted any resources from those issues.

And, honestly, this is much more than mere 'frosting' or 'progressive window-dressing.'

For millions and millions of people around the world -- and right here in the so-called "Land of the Free" -- it is a matter of life and death.

I urge you to reconsider your comment.

:hi:

[Demeter]

7. The Economy Will Kill Us Off Long before We See Any benefits From the "Frosting"

[blueraven95]

8. I don't understand why we can't do both

to be fair, I could see how you could call this "frosting without the cake" for the equal rights movement, because it is a lot of nice words, with no clear movement forward happening here, but to say that we shouldn't address equal rights because we have to address all of these other issues is disingenuous at best.

I would say that addressing civil rights is as important if not more important than these other issues, because it affects who we are at the core as a nation not just where we are at this moment.

[Zenlitened]

3. K&R. This is an important step forward.

Seems to have been a no-brainer for the Obama administration... which is exactly what this issue ought to be. It's a simple matter of right or wrong, no debate/delay/diversions required. Just do it. Well done, Pres. Obama. :)

[Bluenorthwest]

5. We've stepped up to be equals to Mexico

Frosting indeed. Meanwhile, the 'faith based' cheif DuBois will meet in the White House next week with two groups vicious enough to be on the Southern Povery Law Center's watchlist of hate groups. There's the cake. And they want us to have it and eat it too.

[Soylent Brice]

6. regardless of some of the replies in here already this IS a step forward,

not backwards, or a stagnation of position. this is a good thing.

let's just hope there's more to come of this.

K&R

[ohio2007]

11. 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality

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.

They still execute closet dwellars when they find them....it the law

[Echo In Light]

9. K&R

[nichomachus]

10. Next week: US admits that earth is round

or "roundish"(just to satisfy the terminally pedantic).

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Good job!

About damn time!