TPMMuckraker International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Gay Rights
International Gay Rights Group, Opposed By GOPers, Wins UN Status
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission today won accreditation from the United Nations despite Republican efforts to defeat the group's application.
As we told you last week, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Trent Franks (R-AZ) wrote a letter to the other countries who sit on the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council -- countries including anti-gay strongholds like Egypt and Saudi Arabia -- urging them to vote against the New York-based group's application.
Their effort failed, and the resolution passed 23 to 13, with 13 abstaining.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Chris Smith, Gay Rights, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Trent Franks, United Nations
Same sex marriage
GOP Reps Urge Countries That Criminalize Homosexuality To Oppose LGBT Rights NGO
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Two Republican congressmen are urging other countries -- including, potentially, some where homosexuality is a crime punishable by death -- to vote against an American-led effort in the U.N. to recognize a respected international gay rights group.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has been trying since May 2007 to win accreditation from the United Nations, which would allow the NGO to have a voice at the international body. But the group's application for "consultative status" had been deferred by the status-granting NGO committee until early last month, when the committee voted to block its application.
Among the countries voting against the application: Egypt, Angola, Burundi, China, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and Sudan. In all those countries but Russia and China, LGBT people can be jailed, fined, whipped or killed if they are caught by authorities.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: Gay Rights, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Republicans, Same sex marriage, United Nations
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
