Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 03:49 PM Jun 2014

Rice: Protecting gays most difficult rights issue

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — With anti-gay laws taking root in nearly 80 countries, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Tuesday that protecting gays from global discrimination, abuse and even death is the most challenging international human rights issue facing the United States.

Rice told a White House forum of gay rights advocates that President Barack Obama has directed that U.S. diplomacy and financial aid promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women around the world. She urged religious, human rights and HIV health care advocates to form a united front to halt global discrimination against the LGBT community.

“To achieve lasting global change, we need everyone’s shoulder at the wheel,” she said. “With more voices to enrich and amplify the message — that gay rights are straight-up human rights — we can open more minds.”

Rice cautioned that the effort is difficult because laws limiting gay rights in some countries enjoy strong popular support. But she said cultural differences do not excuse human rights violations.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2014/06/24/rice_protecting_gays_most_difficult_rights_issue/

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Rice: Protecting gays mos...