United Nations and Sexual Orientation Human Rights

In Geneva, Switzerland this week the United Nations Organization passed a resolution endorsing the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people. It was a momentous recognition! It was hailed as historic by the United States and other backers and decried by African and Islamic countries.

The declaration expressed "grave concern" about abuses suffered by people because of their sexual orientation. It was cautiously and carefully worded. It commissioned a global report on discrimination against gay people.

Activists called it a remarkable shift on an issue that has divided the global body for decades. The Obama administration was credited with helping to win support for the resolution because of their push for gay rights at home and abroad.

As reported by the Associated Press: "This represents a historic moment to highlight the human rights abuses and violations that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people face around the world based solely on who they are and whom they love," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement.

After tense negotiations, members of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favor of the declaration. It was put forward by South Africa. There were 23 votes in favor and 19 against.

Backers included the United States, the European Union, Brazil and other Latin American countries. Those against included Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Pakistan. China, Birkina Faso, Kyrgyzstan and Zambia abstained; Libya was earlier suspended from voting.

The resolution expressed "grave concern" of acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
According to Amnesty International, consensual same-sex relations are illegal in 76 countries worldwide. Harassment and discrimination are common in many more.

What activists found important about this resolution, was that it established a formal UN process to document human rights abuses against gays. This includes discriminatory laws and acts of violence.