U.S. to use foreign aid to promote gay rights

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender persons from around the world in a speech entitled "Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights", at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, International Human Rights Day. / Pool,AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is announcing a wide-ranging effort to use U.S. foreign aid to promote rights for gays and lesbians abroad, including combating attempts by foreign governments to criminalize homosexuality.

In a memorandum issued Tuesday, President Barack Obama directed U.S. agencies working abroad, including the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to use foreign aid to assist gays and lesbians who are facing human rights violations. And he ordered U.S. agencies to protect vulnerable gay and lesbian refugees and asylum seekers.

"The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States' commitment to promoting human rights," Obama said in a statement.

The policy news comes as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling other diplomats that cultural practices or religious tradition are no excuse for discriminating, or worse, against gay people.

Making an unusually strong statement in defense of gay rights, Clinton says they are equal to women's rights and racial equality and should be universal human rights. She criticized nations that criminalize gay behavior or tolerate abuse of gay, bisexual or transgendered people, though she did not identify those nations by name.

Clinton's audience in Geneva, home of the United Nations' human rights body, included diplomats from Arab, African and other nations with poor records on gay rights.

The White House said Tuesday's announcement marked the first U.S. government strategy to combat human rights abuses against gays and lesbians abroad.

The order also directs U.S. government agencies to use foreign assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination, and work with international organizations to fight discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Gay rights groups praised the order as a significant step for ensuring that gays and lesbians are treated equally around the world.

"Today's actions by President Obama make clear that the United States will not turn a blind eye when governments commit or allow abuses to the human rights of LGBT people," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy organization.

The presidential directive applies to all U.S. agencies involved in foreign aid, assistance and development, including the Departments of States, the Treasury, Defense and Homeland Security.

[NikkiHat]

It's about ******* time! I do not know why we are giving foreign aid to countries like Nigeria and Uganda which commit such outrageous violations of basic human rights. A country which is considering legislation to put people who are GLBT in prison for life or to put them to death certainly should not receive one red cent from America. That is the only leverage we have to create a cultural change. I also think any Evangelical Christian minister who is over there inciting hate with their religious bigotry should be put in jail.

[julianpenrod]

Shills for New World Order surveillance of people to destroy their sense of dignity and self respect always opine, "If you did nothing wrong, you wouldn't be afraid to have every second of your life taped." If Bush did nothing wrong, he wouldn't worry about going to places like Switzerland. You have to have the equivalent of a certificate of merit to get any case before a court. If they didn't have it, it would only be a minor inconvenience and delay for him. Out of office, he doesn't have those responsibilities as such. Unless, of course, Bush is stillpresident of the U.S. and the government has lied to the people.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue December 6, 2011 5:01 PM EST

Nothing is beneath you or no trick to to dirty.
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Slow, any idea what this "dirty trick" crap is about?

[formerusmcsgt1]

Ahhh....devilish sort, aren't you?

he he

[formerusmcsgt1]

Those who protest the efforts to promote the rights of gays, just like all others, by definition, espouse the infringement of the rights of gays.

And only bigots espouse the infringement of other's rights.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue December 6, 2011 4:56 PM EST
They thanked me for not letting them grow up like you and Tis.
Really I'm not kidding.
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I'm not referiing to your kids, I'm referring to those "sinners" whose lives you stick your nose into.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue December 6, 2011 4:53 PM EST

You are the one shows atheists for all the awful and despicable things they do to try and discredit Christians.

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Some require no assitance whatsoever......

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue
Yes, I taught them to hate sin and to try and help those living in it so they do not ruin their lives
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Who says they want your interference?

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue December 6, 2011 4:38 PM EST
Yes, the atheists make fools of themselves on this issue all the time. We just have witnessed that haven't we?
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How so, pray tell.....

You're espousing the concept of converting all gays to heteros so you won't have to deal with them and think I'm looking foolish here?

You'll have to explain that.

[formerusmcsgt1]

Again, thank you, Sir.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by ddelc December 6, 2011 4:34 PM EST
You should use the brain you have to make better decisions.
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Did you make a conscious decision to be heterosexual or was it your own attraction set that decided it for you?

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Ms_IndigoBlue December 6, 2011 4:33 PM EST

You want other to think you know more about the Bible than the true followers so you "try to make them look foolish.
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Some require no assistance whatsoever....