?WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Wednesday formally endorsed a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, a measure that former President George W. Bush had refused to sign.
The move was the Obama administration's latest in reversing Bush-era decisions that have been heavily criticized by human rights and other groups. The United States was the only western nation not to sign onto the declaration when it came up at the U.N. General Assembly in December.

"The United States supports the U.N.'s statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity and is pleased to join the other 66 U.N. member states who have declared their support of the statement," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood.

"The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world," Wood told reporters. "As such, we join with other supporters of this statement, and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora."

The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the administration would endorse the declaration.

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Gay rights and other groups had criticized the Bush administration when it refused to sign the declaration when it was presented at the United Nations on Dec. 19. U.S. officials said then that the U.S. opposed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but that parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review.

According to negotiators, the Bush team had concerns that those sections could commit the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In some states, landlords and private employers are allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed to serve openly in the military.

But Wood said a "careful interagency review" by the Obama administration had concluded that "supporting this statement commits us to no legal obligations."

When it was voted on in December, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration, which backers called an historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with anti-gay discrimination. It was endorsed by all 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia and Mexico.

But 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality — and in several, homosexual acts can be punished by execution. More than 50 nations, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, opposed the declaration.

Some Islamic countries said at the time that protecting sexual orientation could lead to "the social normalization and possibly the legalization of deplorable acts" such as pedophilia and incest. The declaration was also opposed by the Vatican.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Comments: (278)Showing: Newest first Oldest first Most recommended New: Most recommended!

Suzukigs500f (0 friends, send message) wrote: 37m ago
Arizonagunner (0 friends, send message) wrote: 3m ago
Anyway, none of the bible-bangers, anti-gay posters here have yet to answer one simple question. What's criminal about homosexuality? How does it affect you? I'm happily married and have know many gay people over the years and they've never adversly affected me or my wife or my other friends. I have seen property values in their neighborhoods go up and crime go down, however. I have seen acts of charity and kindness too

Homosexuality is and always will be peversion. It affects our country and world. It is a cancer that needs to be eraticated. It needs to be wiped out and people that are gay need to repent and change thier life style. If not then on judgement day they can take the firery walk! :-)
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Wow, you sound like you're in some desert "compound" cleaning your guns.


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Jay Hill (7 friends, send message) wrote: 37m ago
dirtyceilingfan (8 friends, send message) wrote: <1m ago
The Media really needs to start distinguishing between the Red States and the Blue States so the rest of the world realizes that America has divided.
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Not that divided... most of the states in this last election were BLUE... expect even more next election.


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CC in Ohio (0 friends, send message) wrote: 37m ago
We get THIS - but not ONE single word of Obama reading the Irish Prime Minster's speech yesterday AND then thanking himself.....! (I can only IMAGINE if it were Bush that did that....)

Without a teleprompter (which obviously screwed up) - signing this "toothless" accord is the very best that goof ball can do.

The Obama Administration is a JOKE!


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HLJeter (0 friends, send message) wrote: 38m ago
windows (0 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
HLJeter (0 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
cbs87 (9 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
windows (0 friends, send message) wrote: <1m ago
Jason1953 (63 friends, send message) wrote: <1m ago
dirtyceilingfan (8 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
Jason1953 (63 friends, send message) wrote: 2m ago
dirtyceilingfan (8 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
Jason1953 (63 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
dirtyceilingfan (8 friends, send message) wrote: 1m ago
krueg66 (0 friends, send message) wrote: 5m ago
dirty: how un-american of you! wasn't that your battle-cry the last 8 years? If you aren't with us you are against us? So now that you lost, you turn your back on your country and president? Hilarious...

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America is my country, but Obama is not my president. Obama is not even American.
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It is your attitude which is unamerican. Because we believe in our constitution we will tolerate your ignorance.


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There's nothing un-American for opposing anti-American liberals.
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Like I said- it is your attitude which is blatantly un-american.

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We Americans hear that a lot from the Liberals, Taliban, and Al Queda. We're used to it.
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You "Americans"! Now that's a joke. You are not representative of a "Real American". It is your ilk which threaten the very existence of our great Country. Your ignorance is a danger to us all. Luckily, you are becoming an dwindling minority.


he does represent most americans since most americans are against homosexuality and you do not speak for most americans as much as you may think you do.
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What backwards place do you live how can you say most americans are against homosexuality considering they will soon be able to get married

Most americans are not against homosexuality but most americans are against gay marriages! I suggest you do more research on the subject. Start with California.

Interesting comment but the way i see it is when the people get to vote on gay issue they always vote against them and then the gay groups sue until they find the right juge, so you should start with cali yourself my friend. by the way my oldest daughter is gay.

I actually missed your point here. We basically said the same thing!!! If comes to a vote gay marriage fails!!! Already proven! Yes the gay groups go find a judge and burn through their and tax payers money. The end result is that judge say the people have spoken or lets move your case on up and by pass the majority!
Your kid being gay is not really anyone business here! I have two kids and their sexual orientation for sure is none of your business! You choosing to share that with us does not change the issue being discsussed. If you were look for pity points you looked in the wrong direction. Throw out facts that make sense and I will bite.