The United Nations has made an historic endorsement of the rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender people - for the first time ever. Following tense negotiations, members of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favor of the declaration put forward by South Africa, with 23 votes in favor and 19 against. The resolution expresses "grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.’’ It also establishes a formal UN process to document human rights abuses against glbt people, including discriminatory laws and acts of violence. Glbt rights activists across the globe are hailing it as an important shift on an issue that has divided the global body for decades. "This represents a historic moment to highlight the human rights abuses and violations that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people face around the world based solely on who they are and whom they love,’’ US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 18th June 2011 - 6:16pm