US backs IRANIAN measure in United Nations against protecting gays

[Bluebear]

(Washington, D.C., January 25, 2006) - In a reversal of policy, the United States on Monday backed an Iranian initiative to deny United Nations consultative status to organizations working to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, a coalition of 39 organizations, led by the Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights Watch, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, called for an explanation of the vote which aligned the United States with governments that have long repressed the rights of sexual minorities. "This vote is an aggressive assault by the U.S. government on the right of sexual minorities to be heard," said Scott Long, director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch. "It is astonishing that the Bush administration would align itself with Sudan, China, Iran and Zimbabwe in a coalition of the homophobic."

In May 2005, the International Lesbian and Gay Association, which is based in Brussels, and the Danish gay rights group Landsforeningen for Bøsser og Lesbiske (LBL) applied for consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Consultative status is the only official means by which non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world can influence and participate in discussions among member states at the United Nations. Nearly 3,000 groups enjoy this status.

States opposed to the two groups' applications moved to have them summarily dismissed, an almost unprecedented move at the UN, where organizations are ordinarily allowed to state their cases. The U.S. abstained on a vote which would have allowed the debate to continue and the groups to be heard. It then voted to reject the applications.

"The United States recklessly ignored its own reporting proving the need for international support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "The State Department's 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' show severe human rights violations based on gender identity and sexual orientation occur around the world."

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HRW/d765b4038d44bd4ef1a0c8d2fb6a79fe.htm

[movonne]

1. Well, well, well what about the log cabin repugs...i guess they don't care

[Zenlitened]

2. .

I don't know what to say anymore. I honestly don't. :(

[Bluebear]

8. I feel ye. nt

[xchrom]

3. we only hate their bombs -- not their social oppression.

[serryjw]

5. We love their oil!

Oppression brings strange bedfellows

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Hate...bringing enemies together for centuries!

:puke:

[nevergiveup]

6. Just when you think

it can't get any worse, bingo!...it actually does.

[Bluebear]

7. We are in great company. China, Cuba....

The next time Bush opens his goddamned mouth about "they hate us for our freedoms", remember this unholy alliance.

[eridani]

9. Not a huge surprise

The US has lined up with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Vatican against women's and children's rights for a long time.

[TheGunslinger]

10. WTF? Is this a joke?

[Bluebear]

11. No, it's real alright. USA blocked EVEN A HEARING on the matter

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has denounced the United States' vote against two gay rights organizations' applications to join the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The United States joined the repressive, anti-gay regimes of Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon and others in voting against even granting a hearing to the application of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians (Landsforeningen for Bosser og Lesbiske — LBL). Instead, the two groups' applications were summarily dismissed without a hearing.

"It is an absolute outrage that the United States has chosen to align itself with tyrants — all in a sickening effort to smother the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around the world," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Apparently Iran, which President Bush has deemed part of the 'Axis of Evil,' is a suitable partner when it comes to discriminating against gay people."

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-353.html

[TheGunslinger]

12. I am truly sickened.

[Bluebear]

13. For the morning crew. nt

[Bluebear]

15. .

[jsamuel]

14. my head hurts...