MLP Commends the Obama Administration's Stand for Global LGBT Rights

We give thanks for the commitment and actions of President Obama, Secretary Clinton and the Obama Administration with regard to including LGBT rights as human rights. In today's historic speech to the United Nations in Geneva, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the case for LGBT rights around the globe. Clinton's message to the UN includes the concession that "the United States has its own failings in ensuring equal civil rights for its own LGBT citizens, and that ending discrimination is a common cause for all countries. More than 80 countries have criminal laws against LGBT individuals." There are Presbyterians in over 100 countries. As More Light Presbyterians, our care and commitment to safety and equality for LGBT persons and their families extends to every country. We are all God's children and one human family.

Here are some highlights from Secretary Clinton's speech:

• “Like being a woman, like being a racial religious tribal or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are gay rights.”
• “Well, in reality, gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths; they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes, and whether we know it or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends and our neighbors.”
• “Some believe homosexuality is a Western phenomenon…but gay people belong to every society in the world…Being gay is not a Western invention, it is a human reality.”
• “In all countries, there are costs to not protecting these rights, in both gay and straight lives lost to disease and violence and the silencing of voices and views that would strengthen communities and ideas never pursued by entrepreneurs who happen to be gay. Costs are incurred whenever any group is treated as lesser or the other whether they are women, racial or religious minorities or the LGBT.”
• “No practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us, and this holds true for inflicting violence on LGBT people.”
• “Our commitment to protect the freedom of religion and defend LGBT people come from a common source…Human rights are universal and cut across all religions and cultures.”
• “While we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not…where we protect the human rights of all.”
• “Progress comes from changes in laws…Laws have a teaching effect…Laws must change before fears about change dissipate.”
• “Leadership, by definition, means being out in front of your people… standing up for the dignity of all.”
• “It should never be a crime to be gay.”
• “To LGBT men and women worldwide: Wherever you live and whatever your circumstances… please know that you are not alone.”
• “Those who advocate for expanding the circle of human rights were and are on the right side of history, and history honors them…We are called once more to make real the words of the universal declaration. Let us be on the right side of history."

Read Secretary Clinton's full speech here.

Secretary Clinton's address was accompanied by a memorandum issued today by President Obama directing federal agencies engaged abroad to defend LGBT rights.

The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights. I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world -- whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation. That is why I declared before heads of state gathered at the United Nations, "no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere." Under my Administration, agencies engaged abroad have already begun taking action to promote the fundamental human rights of LGBT persons everywhere. Our deep commitment to advancing the human rights of all people is strengthened when we as the United States bring our tools to bear to vigorously advance this goal.

By this memorandum I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.

Read President Obama's full memorandum here.

See Also:

• International Human Rights Day 2011