U.N. could vote on OK historic gay-rights resolution Friday

The United Nations is poised to deliver a historic call for gay rights Friday, when it votes on a U.S.-backed resolution that demands equality for people regardless of sexual orientation and orders a global investigation of violence and discrimination against gays.
By BRADLEY KLAPPER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The United Nations is poised to deliver a historic call for gay rights Friday, when it votes on a U.S.-backed resolution that demands equality for people regardless of sexual orientation and orders a global investigation of violence and discrimination against gays.

Obama administration officials believe they have a majority of support in the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva for the resolution, which would be the first such statement to pass a U.N. vote.

The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. Despite growing acceptance for gay rights in Western nations and parts of Latin America, lawyers say human-rights treaties don't offer adequate protection against discrimination and mistreatment.

The resolution would take a first step toward redressing the problem. Drafted by South Africa, it expresses "grave concerns at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world," against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. It commissions a global inquiry, to be completed by year's end, into their treatment ...

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