Bush Administration Votes in Favor of International Recognition for Gay Rights Group
At the United Nations last week, the United States voted in favor of giving consultative status to a Swedish gay rights organization. Consultative status allows non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to influence and participate in discussions at the United Nations. Almost 3,000 groups have this status. The U.S. and five other countries voted last week in favor of consultative status for the Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL).
Even so, consultative status for RFSL was denied because eight countries voted no, including Egypt , China , Russia , Sudan , Pakistan , Qatar , Guinea , and Burundi . “We thank the Bush Administration for voting in favor of this measure,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “I met with the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of this issue to ask for U.S. support. I’m glad the Administration voted in favor. It’s unfortunate that several countries with terrible human rights records blocked consultative status for this group.