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Obama to Back U.N. Gay Rights Decree

By Bernie Becker

The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it would support a United Nations declaration to decriminalize homosexuality, just months after the Bush administration refused to back the measure.

"The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in announcing the administration's position. "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 appropriate international fora."

Homosexuality is currently forbidden in around 80 countries and can be grounds for execution in at least six, The Times' Neil McFarquhar reported when the measure was first introduced in December.

The non-binding declaration, sponsored by France, was supported by 66 countries when it was introduced, including many in Europe and Latin America.

In all, more than 50 countries besides the United States - including Russia, China and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference - refused to support the measure when it was introduced.

In opposing the declaration, members of the Islamic Conference claimed it could lead to the legalization of acts like incest and pedophilia and also questioned whether homosexuality was genetic.

The Bush administration's opposition was considerably more measured. The administration said that, while it was opposed to discrimination of any kind, it was worried the declaration could undercut state and local governments on issues like gay marriage.

But Mr. Wood said that, after careful study, the Obama administration decided that "supporting this statement commits us to no legal obligations."

Gay rights groups applauded the administration's decision.

"This is a welcome step forward as it signals to the world that, after years of a hostile administration, the United States recognizes the humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at home and abroad," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/obama-to-back-un-gay-rights-decree/