Florida Agenda

By Cliff Dunn

By nearly any yardstick, 2011 was a tumultuous year for LGBT rights. In Florida, the courts upheld the constitutionality of gay adoptions. Nationally, on Sept.

20, the White House announced the final dismantling of the Pentagon’s 20 year-old Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, to the applause and dismay of Americans of virtually all political stripes. The point was driven home in November with the “kiss seen ‘round the world” between U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta and Petty Officer 3rd Class Citalic Snell.

Also last year, as Proposition 8 opponents and supporters in California take their collective legal and election battles to the next ballot referendum, New York lawmakers, Republicans as well as Democrats, approved marriage equality in the Empire State on June 24.

On the international front, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton illustrated in clear language that the Obama administration has drastically changed its foreign policy relating to gay rights in a historic speech in Geneva, Switzerland on Dec. 6. Recognizing that homosexuality is still criminal in 76 countries, Clinton urged the world’s leaders to grant LGBT people “the full measure of liberty, the full experience of dignity, and the full benefits of humanity.”

Echoing Obama’s shift and Clinton’s injunctions, the UN Human Rights Council for the first time in history passed  a resolution supporting global LGBT rights, expressing “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.”

Elsewhere internationally, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced his commitment to a course of “how, not if” in implementing full civil marriage rights for LGBT couples, and to have the legislation in place within the lifetime of the current parliament. In Australia, the governing Labor Party also announced its support for full marriage equality.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama issued a memo to the heads of his Executive Departments and Agencies to advance human rights and safety of LGBT people abroad.

Obama’s memo said:
“The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights. I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world – whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation.

That is why I declared before heads of state gathered at the United Nations, “no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.” Under my Administration, agencies engaged abroad have already begun taking action to promote the fundamental human rights of LGBT persons everywhere. Our deep commitment to advancing the human rights of all people is strengthened when we as the United States bring our tools to bear to vigorously advance this goal.”

GOP presidential contenders Rick Santorum and Rick Perry have condemned Obama’s memo.

Rick Perry has issued a statement attacking the Obama administration over the memorandum issued earlier today directing the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies abroad to advance the human rights of and ensure the safety of LGBT people.

Perry said in a written statement: “Just when you thought Barack Obama couldn’t get any more out of touch with America’s values, AP reports his administration wants to make foreign aid decisions based on gay rights. This administration’s war on traditional American values must stop. President Obama has again mistaken America’s tolerance for different lifestyles with an endorsement of those lifestyles. I will not make that mistake.”

In recognition of Human Rights Day, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will delivered a human rights policy speech on Tuesday, December 6, hosted by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.