Where Everybody Knows You're Numb

Nightowlhoot3 · Guru

RE: breaking news...lol

Psych Lit · Guru

My Turn wrote:

Psych Lit wrote:

tis news to me too. what does the declaration say

____________________________________________________

We reaffirm the principle of universality of human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whose 60th anniversary is celebrated this year, Article 1 of which proclaims that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights";We reaffirm that everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of human rights without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, as set out in Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 2 of the International Covenants on Civil and Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as in article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;We reaffirm the principle of non-discrimination which requires that human rights apply equally to every human being regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;We are deeply concerned by violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms based on sexual orientation or gender identity;We are also disturbed that violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatisation and prejudice are directed against persons in all countries in the world because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and that these practices undermine the integrity and dignity of those subjected to these abuses;We condemn the human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity wherever they occur, in particular the use of the death penalty on this ground, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary arrest or detention and deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health;We recall the statement in 2006 before the Human Rights Council by fifty four countries requesting the President of the Council to provide an opportunity, at an appropriate future session of the Council, for discussing these violations;We commend the attention paid to these issues by special procedures of the Human Rights Council and treaty bodies and encourage them to continue to integrate consideration of human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity within their relevant mandates;We welcome the adoption of Resolution AG/RES. 2435 (XXXVIII-O/08) on "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity" by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States during its 38th session in 3 June 2008;We call upon all States and relevant international human rights mechanisms to commit to promote and protect human rights of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity;We urge States to take all the necessary measures, in particular legislative or administrative, to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.We urge States to ensure that human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity are investigated and perpetrators held accountable and brought to justice;We urge States to ensure adequate protection of human rights defenders, and remove obstacles which prevent them from carrying out their work on issues of human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity.

thanks!

My Turn · Senior Member

Psych Lit wrote:

tis news to me too. what does the declaration say

____________________________________________________

We reaffirm the principle of universality of human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whose 60th anniversary is celebrated this year, Article 1 of which proclaims that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights";We reaffirm that everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of human rights without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, as set out in Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 2 of the International Covenants on Civil and Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as in article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;We reaffirm the principle of non-discrimination which requires that human rights apply equally to every human being regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;We are deeply concerned by violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms based on sexual orientation or gender identity;We are also disturbed that violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatisation and prejudice are directed against persons in all countries in the world because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and that these practices undermine the integrity and dignity of those subjected to these abuses;We condemn the human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity wherever they occur, in particular the use of the death penalty on this ground, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary arrest or detention and deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health;We recall the statement in 2006 before the Human Rights Council by fifty four countries requesting the President of the Council to provide an opportunity, at an appropriate future session of the Council, for discussing these violations;We commend the attention paid to these issues by special procedures of the Human Rights Council and treaty bodies and encourage them to continue to integrate consideration of human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity within their relevant mandates;We welcome the adoption of Resolution AG/RES. 2435 (XXXVIII-O/08) on "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity" by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States during its 38th session in 3 June 2008;We call upon all States and relevant international human rights mechanisms to commit to promote and protect human rights of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity;We urge States to take all the necessary measures, in particular legislative or administrative, to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.We urge States to ensure that human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity are investigated and perpetrators held accountable and brought to justice;We urge States to ensure adequate protection of human rights defenders, and remove obstacles which prevent them from carrying out their work on issues of human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Psych Lit · Guru

Anonymous wrote:

Maybe it is not breaking news.........except to me that the AP reports Obama is expected to sign the UN declaration. lol He lost me some after he edited web sites on gay right issues so, and.........until it is signed I say uh huh and, when. Oh and, what good is it if it is non binding? Gator
tis news to me too. what does the declaration say and which web sites did obama edit? binding or not i think each of these actions chips away at the preconceived notions that some people hold as truth and for that reason alone is good.
UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity66 of the United Nations' 192 member countries signed the declaration, including every member of the European Union* and every major Western nation except the United States, which as of 18 March 2009 plans to sign the document soon:^[1]^[8]
Africa

Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Gabon
Guinea-Bissau
Mauritius
São Tomé and Príncipe
Americas

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Cuba
Ecuador
Mexico
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Uruguay
Venezuela

Asia

Israel
Japan
Nepal
Timor-Leste
Europe

Armenia
Albania
Andorra
Austria *
Belgium *
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria *
Croatia
Cyprus *
Czech Republic *
Denmark *
Estonia *
Finland *
France * initiative
Georgia

Germany *
Greece *
Hungary *
Iceland
Ireland *
Italy *
Latvia *
Liechtenstein
Lithuania *
Luxembourg *
Malta *
Montenegro
Netherlands*
Norway
Poland *
Portugal *
Romania *
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia *
Slovenia *
Spain *

Date: Sun May 31 11:53 AM, 2009

Maybe it is not breaking news.........except to me that the AP reports Obama is expected to sign the UN declaration. lol He lost me some after he edited web sites on gay right issues so, and.........until it is signed I say uh huh and, when. Oh and, what good is it if it is non binding? Gator
UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity66 of the United Nations' 192 member countries signed the declaration, including every member of the European Union* and every major Western nation except the United States, which as of 18 March 2009 plans to sign the document soon:^[1]^[8]

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

Date: Tue May 5 4:34 PM, 2009

Nightowlhoot3 wrote:

Psych Lit wrote:

D.C. Council Approves Bill to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages Performed Elsewhere
Tuesday's vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington.

One door closes (California) and, 5 more open. I love it:) Men in glass houses and, all that back at them. Did I say I love it? hahaha Gator

Nightowlhoot3 · Guru

Psych Lit wrote:

D.C. Council Approves Bill to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages Performed Elsewhere
Tuesday's vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington.

Psych Lit · Guru

D.C. Council Approves Bill to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages Performed Elsewhere

Tuesday's vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington.

powered by Baynote

WASHINGTON -- After an emotional debate, the D.C. Council gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington. Congress, which has final say over the city's laws, will get 30 days to review the bill assuming Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter, signs it. If Congress takes no action, the bill will become law automatically. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders have not signaled where they stand.

"The march towards equality is coming to this country, and you can either be a part of it or stand in the way," said David Catania, one of two openly gay D.C. Council members.

Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa already allow gay marriage and lawmakers in several other states are considering whether to do the same. New York recognizes gay marriages performed in other states.

The D.C. Council vote was 12-to-1, with former Mayor Marion Barry casting the lone opposing vote. He called it an "agonizing and difficult decision" that he made after prayer and consulting with the religious community.

Catania called the issue one of fundamental fairness and said it's about acknowledging that his family is just as valid as anybody else's.

The congressional review could be the new Congress' first opportunity to signal its appetite for re-examining the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to do the same.

Advocates from both sides were part of an overflow crowd that filled city hall, and more than 100 opponents from churches in the Washington region held a rally across the street on Freedom Plaza. Among them was the Rev. Derek McCoy from the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md.

"Once you redefine marriage, you redefine family," he said.

Gay marriage supporters gathered outside the council hearing room included Ed Grandis, a lawyer who lives in Dupont Circle with his husband, J.D. Campos. The pair married in California last year during the time same-sex marriage was legal there, and they hope to have their marriage recognized in D.C.

"We don't have any interest in making their religious institution recognize our marriage or our relationship," Grandis said. Instead, Grandis said, it's about the government recognizing the couple's civil rights.

The district already recognizes domestic partnerships, but gay marriage supporters say that's not enough.

"It's an equality issue," said Sara Mindel, who has been with her partner for nine years and has a 10-month-old son. "In my mind, marriage, although it's a wonderful religious ceremony, ultimately gives you so many important states rights and legal rights."