Made Good

by Eric Martin

Back in late December, I wrote the following:

With all the talk about the symbolic value, symbolistry and pragmatism associated with Obama's selection of Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation, I consider the following measure to be of greater symbolic import, and hope that Obama addresses it appropriately and promptly:

Alone among major Western nations, the United States has refused to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the United Nations calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.

In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration — which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with any-gay discrimination. More than 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality, and in several of them homosexual acts can be punished by execution.

Co-sponsored by France and the Netherlands, the declaration was signed by all 27 European Union members, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries. There was broad opposition from Muslim nations, and the United States refused to sign, indicating that some parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review.

Today, I learn via Money Mark Leon Goldberg, that Obama has indeed acted both promptly and appropriately. 

In late December the United Nations General Assembly held a symbolic vote on a statement calling for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality...Opposing the resolution, were the United States, the Holy See, and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference...

Well, that was then. This is now: At the so-called "Durban Review Conference" on racism and xenophonia underway in Geneva, Europe again put forward language condemning “all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on sexual orientation.” According to UN Watch, "The Czech Republic on behalf of the E.U., with the support of New Zealand, the United States, Colombia, Chili on behalf of the South American states, the Netherlands, Argentina and a few others, took the floor in support." (emphasis Mark's).

A small gesture for sure, but it is refreshing to have my country return to at least this baseline of decency and compassion. 

Comments

[Adam]

Absurd! If we criminalize homosexuality, then only criminals will be gay!

[Elemenope]

Quick! Someone tell Andy Sullivan! He will become happy again!

[jesurgislac]

A good sign for the future.

[hilzoy]

;)

[dr ngo]

It is perhaps fitting that South America was represented by the tasty dish Chili, rather than the more prosaic state of Chile.

Or perhaps not.

[Peter]

its really good that chile supported it on a serious note, it was barely ten years ago when a police force raided a gay bar in Santiago de Chile.

All in all, : )

[glasgowtremontaine]

Perhaps Chile can get creative, as we do here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, by instead prosecuting folks for "crimes against nature". But hey, at least no one's raiding the bars.

[rea]

here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, by instead prosecuting folks for "crimes against nature"

Really? After Lawrence v Texas?

[glasgowtremontaine]

Really. Lawrence v Texas may not apply because this law prohibits (in theory) both same-sex and cross-sex acts. Also, this particular case involves persons of 14 and 20, not "adult consensual conduct". (However, if a 14 year old is having sex with a 20 year old in the first place, I can't imagine why it would be less harmful for her to have vaginal intercourse than cunnilingus. So it seems likely that this particular charge is actually doing a different kind of work.)

5 men in this city are currently listed as sex offenders for "crimes against nature", and no other charge.