USA to Sign UN Gay Rights Declaration

The Associated Press is reporting that the Obama administration has signaled that will endorse a United Nations declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that the Chimperator had refused to sign last year. While this is certainly a welcome development, it seems inconsistent with Obama's love fests with Christianist preachers and the White House's meeting invitation to two Christianist organizations that are border line anti-hate hate groups (both groups supported maintaining the sodomy statues). One reader suggested that perhaps Obama likes to "keep his enemies close," but even if such is the case it could be done in a manner that would be less insulting to LGBT allies of the Obama administration. I would also note that some of the language in the U.N. resolution is broad enough to suggest that DADT and anti-gay marriage amendments are contrary to the spirit of the resolution. That being the case, when is Obama going to take concrete steps within the USA to bring the country into full compliance with the spirit of the U.N. resolution? Here are some highlights from the AP story:

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WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.

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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.

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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.

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"The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world," said one official. "As such, we join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora," the official said.

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The official added that the United States was concerned about "violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and was also "troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries."

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"In the words of the United States Supreme Court, the right to be free from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation 'has been accepted as an integral part of human freedom'," the official said.

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According to negotiators, the Bush team had concerns that those parts could commit the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In some states, landlords and private employers are allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed to serve openly in the military. It was not immediately clear on Tuesday how the Obama administration had come to a different conclusion.

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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. . . . The declaration was also opposed by the Vatican.

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Again, I applaud this development and the fine words stated by administration officials. My question remains, however, as to when Obama intends to take steps to make the legal reality for gays within many parts of the USA consistent with the spirit of the U.N. resolution. At the moment, in Virginia I do not even have any assurance that I can get fair treatment in court hearings because of my sexual orientation.