I would like to see Hillary Clinton run for President in 2012. Instead of kicking people to the curb, she fights for those who are wounded and lying in the gutter. A great many, not all, of the LGBT community did not recognize her support for them in 2008, but there is no mistaking it now. She is a hero to many: 18 million+ diverse Americans, women and children the world over, the freedom-loving people of Libya and neighboring states, and the LGBT community. There are no limits in her heart. None!
If only she WERE!
Human Rights Council Statement on Ending Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateWashington, DCMarch 22, 2011
Today, 85 countries from every region of the world joined together in a historic moment to state clearly that human rights apply to everyone, no matter who they are or whom they love.
The United States, along with Colombia and Slovenia, took a leading role on this statement along with over 30 cosponsors. Countries around the world participated including many that had never supported such efforts. And we hope that even more countries will step up, sign on to the statement and signal their support for universal human rights.
This statement is an example of America’s commitment to human rights through dialogue, open discussion and frank conversation with countries we don’t always agree with on every issue. In Geneva, our conversations about the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals with countries where sexual orientation is not only stigmatized, but criminalized, are helping to advance a broader and deeper global dialogue about these issues.
As I said last June, gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights. We will continue to promote human rights around the world for all people who are marginalized and discriminated against because of sexual orientation or gender identity. And we will not rest until every man, woman and child is able to live up to his or her potential free from persecution or discrimination of any kind.
Here is the statement to which HRC refers:
Joint Statement on the Rights of LGBT Persons at the Human Rights Council
Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 22, 2011At the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva 85 countries joined a Joint Statement entitled “Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.” This follows previous statements on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons issued at the United Nations, including a 2006 statement by 54 countries at the Human Rights Council, and a 2008 statement that has garnered 67 countries’ support at the General Assembly. The United States is amongst the signatory states to both previous efforts. The United States co-chaired the core group of countries that have worked to submit this statement, along with Colombia and Slovenia.
Key facts about the new statement:
* A core group of over 30 countries engaged in discussions and sought signatures from other UN member states for the statement. In many places, United States diplomats joined diplomats from other states for these conversations.
* This statement adds new references not seen in previous LGBT statements at the UN, including: welcoming attention to LGBT issues as a part of the Universal Periodic Review process, noting the increased attention to LGBT issues in regional human rights fora, encouraging the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue addressing LGBT issues, and calls for states to end criminal sanctions based on LGBT status.
* 20 countries joined this statement that were neither signatory to the 2006 or 2008 statements.
* The statement garnered support from every region of the world, including 21 signatories from the Western Hemisphere, 43 from Europe, 5 from Africa, and 16 from the Asia/Pacific region.The full list of signatories and text of the statement follows:
Joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation & gender identity
Delivered by Colombia on behalf of: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the former-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Venezuela
1. We recall the previous joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, presented at the Human Rights Council in 2006;
2. We express concern at continued evidence in every region of acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity brought to the Council’s attention by Special Procedures since that time, including killings, rape, torture and criminal sanctions;
3. We recall the joint statement in the General Assembly on December 18, 2008 on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, supported by States from all five regional groups, and encourage States to consider joining the statement;
4. We commend the attention paid to these issues by international human rights mechanisms including relevant Special Procedures and treaty bodies and welcome continued attention to human rights issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity within the context of the Universal Periodic Review. As the United Nations Secretary General reminded us in his address to this Council at its Special Sitting of 25 January 2011, the Universal Declaration guarantees all human beings their basic rights without exception, and when individuals are attacked, abused or imprisoned because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the international community has an obligation to respond;
5. We welcome the positive developments on these issues in every region in recent years, such as the resolutions on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity adopted by consensus in each of the past three years by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, the initiative of the Asia-Pacific Forum on National Human Rights Institutions to integrate these issues within the work of national human rights institutions in the region, the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the increasing attention being paid to these issues by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and the many positive legislative and policy initiatives adopted by States at the national level in diverse regions;
6. We note that the Human Rights Council must also play its part in accordance with its mandate to “promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without discrimination of any kind, and in a fair and equal manner” (GA 60/251, OP 2);
7. We acknowledge that these are sensitive issues for many, including in our own societies. We affirm the importance of respectful dialogue, and trust that there is common ground in our shared recognition that no-one should face stigmatisation, violence or abuse on any ground. In dealing with sensitive issues, the Council must be guided by the principles of universality and non-discrimination;
8. We encourage the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to address human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to explore opportunities for outreach and constructive dialogue to enhance understanding and awareness of these issues within a human rights framework;
9. We recognise our broader responsibility to end human rights violations against all those who are marginalised and take this opportunity to renew our commitment to addressing discrimination in all its forms;
10. We call on States to take steps to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and related human rights violations committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, encourage Special Procedures, treaty bodies and other stakeholders to continue to integrate these issues within their relevant mandates, and urge the Council to address these important human rights issues.
Well, I can think of a few…
… for starters.
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LOLOLOLOLOLOL, oh come on, if they were on fire I’m sure she’d piss on them.
BTW Still, some LGBT voters didn’t support Hillary, but it is a known fact that a majority of them did. They were a part of her base, but they went over to Obama after she left the race. As a fag hag, not a single one of my many gay friends, even the black ones, likes Obama, and all of them voted for Hillary. I just have to defend their honor.
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🙂 I’ll take your word for it. Far be it for me to argue with a “fag hag.” LOL! I was just remembering some interview setting where Melissa Etheridge was very hard on her and I don’t remember anyone coming to her defense.
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I hear you. I have quite a few gay friends and none of them voted for Obama in the primaries. Hillary was, and still is, their girl. They voted for Obama in the general election because the thought of McCain and Palin was just too horrible to consider.
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My gay friend were almost all for Hillary, but my lesbian friends weren’t as monolithic in their support. Most of my other friends who were of the liberal persuasion supported Obama. All of my more liberal friends voted for Obama in the general election. We were too far to the left to protest with a vote for a ticket with Palin on it.
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What do your liberal friends who voted for Obama in the primaries thinking that he was more progressive than Hillary think of him now?
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Honestly, it’s something along the lines of “well, at least Hillary isn’t in there getting us into another war” – they were referring to Iran, but the irony is still there as I think over the comment.
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D., there is no meanness in her heart which explains why Starr, Chrissie, and the Newt may not be found there.
Thanks for this post, S4H. She’s really bound and determined to improve our world if she can despite all the grief she gets for it. I am reminded this day to hold Hillary a little closer in my heart in view of the passing of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. What a fitting tribute to that lady’s long fight for people affected by AIDS.
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What a lovely thought. Thank you for this comment.
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