All around the world unacceptable violations of human rights have taken place against individuals solely on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation,” said Rep Tom Lantos, D—Calif., at a March 1 news conference outside the Capitol Building.
“These ongoing persecutions against gay people include arbitrary arrest, rape, torture, imprisonment, extortion, and even execution.”
“Some states fail to prosecute, or even investigate [crimes] because of [the victims’] sexual orientation. These abuses are not only sanctioned by some states, but often they are perpetuated by agents of these states,” he said.
In Afghanistan, men convicted of sodomy were stood beside a masonry wall and a tank was driven into it to topple the wall on top of them. In Brazil, a lesbian couple was tortured and sexually assaulted in a police station. In Uganda, the President ordered police to arrest all homosexuals. The punishment for homosexual activity is life in prison.
Lantos introduced Congressional Resolution 259, which “condemns all violations of internationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.” It calls for their recognition as an equal human right and demands equal protection of all human rights. It has 23 cosponsors of both parties.
“As a nation, our founding was derived from the respect that our founders had for universal human rights,” said Dennis Kucinich, D—Ohio. “Today we have an opportunity to make good on that commitment, which is as old as America itself.”
“This is the most important parliamentary body in the entire world. And what we do here does affect people around the globe, so we have to take a strong stance,” said Jan Schakowsky, D—Ill.
“The United States is THE remaining superpower. We have an obligation therefore not just as an economic or military leader but as a moral leader,” said Rep Lynn Woolsey, D—Calif. “We must show the world that gay rights are human rights. We must speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.”
“The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community is one of the last groups to suffer institutional discrimination in this country,” said Rep Jerrold Nadler, D—NY, in pledging his support for the bill.
Rep Tammy Baldwin, D—Wisc., cited the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “articulated a common understanding of the rights of every citizen of the world.” We must use our moral suasion whenever possible to ensure that all of our world’s citizens can live their lives with the freedom and dignity that is everyone’s birthright.”
“Are you worried at all about cultural imperialism?” asked Peter LaBarbera, publisher of the scurrilously antigay Lambda Report. He spoke of Black African ministers “shocked at the open promotion of homosexuality in this country.” He did not seem at all worried by the “cultural imperialism” that brought Christianity to Africa.
Lantos responded that he was equally opposed to all violations of human rights. “As a civilized country we must condemn and speak out against these crimes against humanity.”
“It is pretty basic stuff, that you shouldn’t rape and murder and kill people in the name of the state is not controversial, one would think,” said Nancy Buermeyer, lobbyist with the Human Rights Campaign. But she acknowledged that passage is going to “be tough with the [Republican] leadership being the way it is” in Congress. Plus, it is a busy year and a short session.
“Depending on how the elections go, it could be [passed] in fairly short order next session,” she said. “This is about whether people get treated like human beings.”