Obama uses embassies to push for LGBT rights abroad
President Barack Obama's administration has taken the US gay rights revolution global, using American embassies across the world as outposts in a struggle that still hasn't been won at home. Sometimes US advice and encouragement is condemned as unacceptable meddling. And sometimes it can seem to backfire, increasing the pressure on those it is meant to help.
With gay pride parades taking place in many cities across the world this weekend, the US role will be more visible than ever. Diplomats will take part in parades and some embassies will fly the rainbow flag along with the Stars and Stripes.
The US sent five openly gay ambassadors abroad last year, with a sixth nominee, to Vietnam, now awaiting Senate confirmation. American diplomats are working to support gay rights in countries such as Poland, where prejudice remains deep, and to oppose violence and other abuse in countries like Nigeria and Russia, where gays face life-threatening risks.
"It is incredible. I am amazed by what the US is doing to help us," said Mariusz Kurc, the editor of a Polish gay advocacy magazine, Replika, which has received some US funding and other help. "We are used to struggling and not finding any support."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/28/obama-gay-rights-abroad-embassies-activism
Nice to see the administration doing this.
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