President-elect Obama insists that, despite the Warren invitation,
I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans ...
Would he like to prove it?
How about announcing that when he takes office, he'll sign the UN declaration calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality?
The Bush Administration today refused to back the measure.
US balks at backing condemnation of anti-gay laws
UNITED NATIONS - Alone among major Western nations, the United States refused to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the United Nations ...
In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration - which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with any-gay discrimination. More than 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality, and in several of them homosexual acts can be punished by execution. ...
According to some of the declaration's backers, U.S. officials expressed concern in private talks that some parts of the declaration might be problematic in committing the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In numerous 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.
Associated Press,
December 18, 2008
No surprise that the Bush administration is weaseling about discrimination -- but how about it, Mr. President Change?
Cross posted at Happening Here.