Obama administration to push for gay rights overseas

President Barack Obama has announced the expansion of his foreign policy goals to include the promotion of equal legal and social status for gays and lesbians worldwide. The move comes on the heels of a $10,000-per-plate fundraiser the president held last week with gay-rights leaders in New York City.

Under the new policy announced Tuesday, U.S. government officials are directed to lobby foreign governments and voters to win legal rights for gays and homosexuals, welcome their applications for asylum, fund foreign gay-advocacy groups, and even retaliate against groups that mistreat gays and lesbians.

“The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights,” said a Dec. 6 White House memorandum for agency heads.

The announcement follows Obama’s September speech at the United Nations, where he declared that “no country should deny people their rights of free speech and religion … [or] because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.”

Gay advocacy groups welcomed the Obama administration’s announcement. “As Americans, we understand that no one should be made a criminal or subject to violence or even death because of who they are, no matter where they live,” Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese said in a statement. “Today’s actions by President Obama make clear that the United States will not turn a blind eye when governments commit or allow abuses to the human rights of LGBT people.” [link to old.news.yahoo.com]