U.S and Middle Eastern Countries Against Decriminalizing HomoSexuality

A sad reminder of just how far the U.S has fallen and how much of its image as a stalwart leader of truth and justice for all people’s has fallen.

The Bush/Cheney administration, the Christian right, and the Middle East theocratic governments they now condemn and brand as evil for denying many of their citizens equal rights stand together in this instance. The U.S now is the only western country standing against a United Nations declaration that calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Now in the United States homosexuality is not illegal. But there are still parts of the nation where an employer can terminate the employment or refuse to hire a homosexual, where hate crimes against people of that sexual persuasion are committed, couples are denied the benefits that would be afforded to heterosexuals, and are barred from so much as speaking freely about their sexuality if they are in the U.S Military.

But even worse in many non western countries, especially some in the Middle East where it is acceptable to execute homosexuals. Yet the United States which positions itself as the island of tolerance, justice , and freedom between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is now in affect tolerating that, by standing with such countries in opposition to this resolution. So much for compassionate conservatism.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — 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.

Now the U.S in the United Nations says they are opposed to this because it could make the Federal government impede on some functions normally reserved for the states. Funny, Marriage is usually a legal function reserved for states and municipalities, yet Bush/Cheney and their social conservative allies seem not to hesitate to do just that when the issue comes to banning marriage between gays.