State Department Condemns Nobel Prize Winner’s Anti-Gay Remarks

The State Department is speaking out against Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s recent remarks in favor of criminalizing homosexuality. During a press conference yesterday, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated Secretary Hillary Clinton’s contention that gay rights are human rights and promised to “express some surprise and concern” with Liberian officials over the President’s sentiments:

QUESTION: Okay. And then is this something – should – since you’re in the habit now of answering hypothetical questions, should they go ahead and approve these laws? Is that something – given the Secretary’s speech in Geneva, which was quite strong, is this something that could affect U.S. assistance?… I mean, in general, if countries go ahead – if countries take measures that discriminate against homosexuals, is that something that under this Administration could lead to a review or a suspension or anything of U.S. assistance?

MS. NULAND: I think if there were major pieces of legislation that discriminated against any group, we would have to take that into account in our relationship and it would be a cause for concern.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/03/21/448798/state-department-condemns-nobel-prize-winners-anti-gay-remarks/