Obama Team Takes the Lead on LGBT Rights at the UN

[babylonsister]

Obama Team Takes the Lead on LGBT Rights at the UN
Barbara Crossette
July 23, 2010


The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission is not the first group advocating to end discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity to win the right to be represented in major United Nations and other meetings - and to have to fight hard for that privilege. But after years of futile campaigning against a front of homophobic nations, otherwise skittish governments and the Vatican, IGLHRC last week found its most powerful ally in the Obama administration.

The US-based organization with a wide network of global partners was able to thwart the usual tactic of having its application put on indefinite hold in an accreditation committee when the US Mission to the UN forced an open vote on IGLHRC's application pending in the full Economic and Social Council, a bold move that could be a model for dealing with other stalemated human rights issues at the UN.

After eight years of Bush administration alliances with anti-gay (and anti-women's rights) forces at the UN, the Obama team has served notice that it is not only a supporter of gay advocacy groups but is also not afraid of a showdown on rights issues generally. The Human Rights Council should take note. It often takes American leadership to rally like-minded nations that may falter in their resolve.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/article/37919/obama-team-takes-lead-lgbt-rights-un

[Laughing Mirror]

1. Good, and when is the Obama team going to take the lead on LGBT rights in the US?

If taking the lead is good enough for other nations, why isn't it good enough in our own?

Something doesn't add up.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Woot!

Now be more forceful about it at home, please.

[DrDan]

3. ". . . but is also not afraid of a showdown on rights issues generally . . . "

They have certainly demonstrated that here at home, haven't they.

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oh . . . . wait

on edit - I guess they could mean dealing with it with more talk.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. DiCarlo did good. The President as well.

This is the 9th gay rights organization to get this status at the UN, not the first. The 9th. Nation voting for include Britain and Canada and Germany and Japan. Our common alliances.
The nations voting against, just 13 including China, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. A group we'd think twice in joining up with against Europe, no matter what the issue. So while this is very good, the context does reduce the level of hoop-la being handed out around it to a more reasonable level, which fits more with the lack of support for equality here at home. It was the right thing they did, but not a first, and in line with our usual allies. No ground was broken anew. A good step was taken, no more, no less.
DiCarlo was spot on, and did a great job. The President's words were also very nice. And of course, a huge improvement over what we had previously. Both of them. Huge improvement.

[lunatica]

5. It's as if he has a split personality disorder

It just doesn't make sense. I'm sure he means it when he talks the talks, so why doesn't he walk the walk?

[babylonsister]

6. ??

He can't do it alone, and did address DADT just yesterday at Netroots Nation:

The president emphasized that "we're not done," and vowed to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_07/024883.php

I know, he should be able to wave a wand and get 'er done, but that doesn't seem to be working.

[Laughing Mirror]

8. A rapid 3 minute, 48 second infomercial 100 days from election day

with the obligatory "working to repeal DADT" dropped in there among the resume of the administration's achievements. The president has a winning sales pitch. But the question is, will more talk work since, as you point out, the wand isn't working?

Talk sounds nice, but talk is cheap. It is not what you say so much that counts, it's what you do.

[lunatica]

9. What are you so defensive about?

Does any question about Obama merit getting slapped down? Your sarcasm is uncalled for. Why does the Gay community still have to wait?

[babylonsister]

10. Do you not think that if Obama could get this done by

himself, it'd be done? I do. And I'm very sorry it's not done, but it gets tiresome to hear so often that it's all his fault, 'he has the power', when in reality he doesn't.

Sorry if you don't like my sarcasm. Sometimes I just can't contain myself.

[lunatica]

11. And your kneejerk sarcasm gets tiresome too

Should everyone check in to see if you're in the mood from now on?

[babylonsister]

13. Quit yer whining. I rarely even respond to such comments;

I'll be sure to put you on my list of people not to respond to.

[lunatica]

15. Thanks!

It'll save us both from wasting time. Too bad. I used to have respect for you.

[Hydra]

18. You and me both

Perhaps the greatest casualties in such a fight are the good ones who lost their way.

[StevieM]

7. Didn't Bush oppose a resolution calling for laws criminalizing homosexuality to be eliminated? (eom)

[vaberella]

19. Dunno. But he didn't do anything for LGBT community while in office. n/t

[VMI Dem]

12. "against a front of homophobic nations" . thats rich.

Our own leader proudly proclaims that marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman. Only.

We are a homophobic nation.

[LostinVA]

21. +1

[Safetykitten]

22. Just when you thought it could not get stranger, this happens.

All you other countries, stop hating on the gays...uh what was that? They can? They can serve openely in their military? Really?

Never mind.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[David Zephyr]

16. K&R.

This story from The Nation deserves more visibility. Thanks babylonsister for posting it.

[SunsetDreams]

17. K&R

[Bluenorthwest]

23. I left a positive comment here

came back to the thread to see no reply to me, but that damn magic wand bullshit being foisted again. Despicable is the word for that sort of language about a dearly needed right being withheld by majority from a minority group.
But about that Magic Wand, I think I know where it is. I think Obama does have one stashed away, we always thought it was just a stick up there.