While I watched the Gay Pride parade roll by in Albuquerque last week, cities everywhere celebrated in style. There were feathers and Lady Gaga and assless chaps.June is LGBT Month, and even the U.N. Human Rights Council knows it. Unless, of course, you consider the 19 countries that voted against today’s resolution to investigate and condemn human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure expresses “grave concerns at acts of violence and discrimination.”Under the umbrella of religious and cultural beliefs, the opposing diplomats argued that the resolution is illegal and unnatural, as well as unpopular within their countries. The historic first exclusively LGBT-oriented resolution does not sit well with many African and Middle Eastern nations, Russia and Moldova. Nigerian diplomats said the proposal contradicts the wishes of most Africans, and others said the U.N. was replacing the natural rights of human beings with unnatural rights. I can only assume “natural” refers to the right to perpetuate violence and harassment against those different from you. Countries in opposition to LGBT rights will not suffer consequences because apart from shaming violators, the U.N. Human Rights Council does not have any enforcement tools. The high commissioner will document discriminatory laws and practices around the world, but the resolution does not put forth a plan to enforce equal rights. It makes me wonder what will be condemned. Prohibitions of same-sex marriage? Leniency on hate crimes? Politicians running on the platform that God told them to stop the gays? Barriers to same-sex adoption? Therapy sessions to "cure" homosexuality?And how does our country measure up?
U.n. Explodes In Rainbows
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