United States has refused to sign a declaration presented at the United Nations calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality

[Terminator]

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Alone among major Western nations, the United States has refused to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the United Nations calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.
In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration - which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with any-gay discrimination. More than 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality, and in several of them homosexual acts can be punished by execution.
Co-sponsored by France and the Netherlands, the declaration was signed by all 27 European Union members, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries. There was broad opposition from Muslim nations, and the United States refused to sign, indicating that some parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review. "It's disappointing," said Rama Yade, France's human rights minister, of the U.S. position - which she described as in contradiction with America's long tradition as a defender of human rights.
According to some of the declaration's backers, U.S. officials expressed concern in private talks that some parts of the declaration might be problematic in committing the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In numerous states, landlords and private employers are allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed to serve openly in the military.
Carolyn Vadino, a spokeswoman for the U.S. mission to the U.N., stressed that the United States - despite its unwillingness to sign - condemned any human rights violations related to sexual orientation.
Gay rights activists nonetheless were angered by the U.S. position.
"It's an appalling stance - to not join with other countries that are standing up and calling for decriminalization of homosexuality," said Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
She expressed hope that the U.S. position might change after President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.
More than 50 countries opposed to the declaration, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, issued a joint statement Thursday criticizing the initiative as an unwarranted attempt to give special prominence to gays and lesbians. The statement suggested that protecting sexual orientation could lead to "the social normalization and possibly the legalization of deplorable acts" such as pedophilia and incest.
The declaration also has been opposed by the Vatican, a stance which prompted a protest in Rome earlier this month.
A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Roman Catholic Church opposed the death penalty and other harsh repression of gays and lesbians, but he expressed concern that the declaration would be used as pressure against those who believe marriage rights should not be extended to gays.
A new Vatican statement, issued Thursday, endorsed the call to end criminal penalties against gays, but said that overall the declaration "gives rise to uncertainty in the law and challenges existing human norms."
The European nations backing the declaration waged their campaign in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Dutch foreign affairs minister, Maxime Verhagen, said countries which endorsed that 1948 document had no right to carve out exceptions based on religion or culture that allowed discrimination against gays.
"Human rights apply to all people in all places at all times," he said. "I will not accept any excuse."
He acknowledged that the new declaration had only symbolic import, but said it marked the first time such a large number of nations had raised the cause of gay rights in the context of General Assembly proceedings.
"This statement aims to make debate commonplace," he said. "It is not meant to be a source of division, but to eliminate the taboo that surrounds the issue."
Although the declaration's backers were pleased that nations on six continents had signed it, there were only two from Asia and four from Africa.

[Rhino]

When I was young, I had visions of a "Star Trek" future where every nation in the world rallies under the flag of one government. Unity, blah blah blah.

But then i grew up. I understand now how dangerous a unified world would be.

I am all for decriminalization of homosexuality. But it's not "the world's" job to make it so. It should be decriminalized on the state level. No other "higher" government should get involved.

Big government, people, is never the solution.

[Jarvis]

Wait a second, Its illegal to be a homo and term isn't in jail?



dont fire me

[Jenna]

When I was young, I had visions of a "Star Trek" future where every nation in the world rallies under the flag of one government.

Not just every nation, but every planet as well!

[MacLean]

It's time for us to face reality and leave the United Nations.

It has become only political cover for actions we don't have the taste for, or an effort by other countries to dictate to us what we should be doing.

It was never intended to be this.

Quit, kick 'em out, and sell the land.

[countybear]

United Nations?

That's the same body who's Security Council contains seats for Libya, North Vietnam, and Croatia?
That's the same body who's Human Rights Council contains seats for China, Cuba, and the Russian Federation?
That's the same body who's budget relies more on U.S. contributions (22&#37, than any other single nation (most combined)?

Yeah, that's them.

Fukketh themmeth.

[pgg]

How much do you think we are going to cowtow to the UN once the "messiah" takes office?

[MacLean]

How much do you think we are going to cowtow to the UN once the "messiah" takes office?

Depends on how long he wants to keep his job.

[Rhino]

Not just every nation, but every planet as well!

Wow, Jenn. You're more correct than you probaly realize. That's exactly why the UN is a bad thing. Because under one government, we'd have to live by someone else's laws and policies. Very good. I'd rep you again if I could.

I think we're having a bad influence on you. Your hippie friends will never forgive us.

[Jenna]

Wow, Jenn. You're more correct than you probaly realize. That's exactly why the UN is a bad thing. Because under one government, we'd have to live by someone else's laws and policies. Very good. I'd rep you again if I could.

I think we're having a bad influence on you. Your hippie friends will never forgive us.

[ChesCopPodz]

On one hand, I do agree with decriminalizing homosexuality. I really don't care if two people of the same sex want to be together.

On the other hand, I also agree with the rights of the individual states to make their own laws. So, if the story is correct, and the only reason the US didn't sign it is because doing so would over ride the individual states' laws, I agree with that decision.

[Xiphos]

It's time for us to face reality and leave the United Nations.

It has become only political cover for actions we don't have the taste for, or an effort by other countries to dictate to us what we should be doing.

It was never intended to be this.

Quit, kick 'em out, and sell the land.

Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US.

Too bad we squandered it. I have a feeling the UN will be helping an Obama administration formulate a lot of policy.