What does the USA have in common with Iran, Zimbabwe, China and Cameroon?

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Irvine511

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[q]U.S. Nixes Gay Inclusion At UN
by Doug Windsor, 365Gay.com New York Bureau

Posted: January 24, 2006 - 11:00 am ET

(New York City) The United States joined with four of the world's most repressive regimes to reject an application by two international LGBT groups seeking to join a UN agency that advises the world body on economics and social issues.

The application by the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians was dismissed without a hearing.

The groups had sought inclusion on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a think tank made up of non governmental agencies from around the world.

The United States voted with Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon against granting a hearing for the application.

ECOSOC status allows NGOs to attend UN meetings and speak in their own name. The Council already has participation from labor and social rights groups.

The governments of Iran and Zimbabwe are considered to be among the most repressive anti-gay regimes in the world.

President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has long scapegoated and persecuted gay men and lesbians. The recently-elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has overseen an anti-gay campaign in recent months, in which many young people accused of homosexual acts reportedly have been executed.

Egypt also voted against considering the application. That country too has a history of persecuting gay men.

"It is an absolute outrage that the United States has chosen to align itself with tyrants — all in a sickening effort to smother the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around the world," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"Apparently Iran, which President Bush has deemed part of the 'Axis of Evil,' is a suitable partner when it comes to discriminating against gay people," said Foreman.

The ILGA has been trying to get inclusion on the Council for the past four years. Each time it has been met with roadblocks created in part by the US.

Three years ago, the United States abstained from voting on a sexual orientation nondiscrimination resolution offered by Brazil via the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

The Bush-Cheney administration has also opposed women's and children's rights treaties, sex education, contraception and family planning in international forums.

http://365gay.com/Newscon06/01/012406unGay.htm

[/q]



someone, defend this.

go on. i dare you.
 
I take it this is the first time a GLB NGO has applied for ECOSOC status then?

Can't really say I'm surprised. I've gritted my teeth over our votes against family planning and women's rights treaties in the past too. Wish I could plop some of these people down in some Indian villages I've been in so they can witness the consequences of lack of access to decent gynecological care, or have them see firsthand some of what happens to gay people in Iran or Zimbabwe or a hundred other places so that they can have a good hard look at the full implications of what they're voting against. And have to look these folks in the eye and tell them their sufferings are worth it to avoid endorsing the Gay Agenda or the Abortion Agenda, or whatever the hell exactly it is they've convinced themselves they're taking a stand against the sinister horrors of through their principled votes.
 
NGOs, you mean? Not sure what the implied subject of "better use of funds" there was.

At any rate, you can be sure our stance wasn't primarily motivated by fiscal concerns.
 
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