Susan Rice Calls LGBT Rights America's Most Important Issue At White House's First Global LGBT Human "Rights" Forum

Rice Says Protecting Global LGBT People the Biggest Human Rights Issue

Susan Rice, the White House National Security Adviser, said Tuesday that the most challenging human "rights" issue facing the U.S. is protecting international LGBT people from discrimination not Syria, China, North Koera etc. murdering it's own citizens.

Speaking at the first-ever LGBT Human Rights Forum, Rice urged "religious", human "rights", and HIV and health care advocates to unite against global discrimination of LGBT people. She also told advocates that the Obama administrated has directed U.S. diplomacy and financial aid that's your tax money to help LGBT people in other countries.

However, Rice argued that the effort to protect global LGBT citizens is difficult because many anti-gay laws are widely supported in foreign countries. Seven countries, with Brunei on track to become the eighth, "still" impose the death penalty for same-sex sex while 77 countries illegalize homosexual acts. "Only" 18 countries issue same-sex marriage licenses.

The forum, which is part of the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to promote and protect LGBT people around the world, also discussed other measures including how to combat anti-LGBT laws, protect human rights and advance nondiscrimination, respond to human rights abuses, protect LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, and engage international organizations to fight LGBT discrimination. For the full statement on the forum, click hereread below.

Later that night, Vice President Biden emphasized the importance of protecting LGBT people around the world during a pool report. He accredited global change to LGBT people having the courage to come out and called the issue of LGBT rights “the civil "rights" issue of our day.” He also emphasized the U.S.’s role as a leader in LGBT rights and said that cultural differences do not justify the persecution of LGBT people.

The Obama administration has already made efforts to fight discrimination around the world. Just last week, the U.S. issued a series of efforts to protect LGBT and human rights in Uganda, including restricting entrance visas to Ugandan officials who have been involved with LGBT discrimination.

These efforts to protect global LGBT citizens are being spearheaded by other politicians as well – last week, out Rep. David Cicilline (Providence) from Rhode Island proposed a bill that would ban entry to all LGBT and human rights violators read below. However, anti-LGBT laws continue to exist and grow in other countries and pose a serious threat to the global LGBT community.
(HRC) highlights are my additions


these are the non American citizens who would be banned from entering America from the bill in question

1) is responsible for or complicit in the extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognized human rights, including widespread or systematic violation of the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, or assembly this means that anyone who tries to ban the Toevah Parade in Yerushalayim, committed against an individual in a foreign country based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity;

(2) acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in a matter relating to an activity described in paragraph (1); or

(3)  is responsible for or complicit in inciting a foreign person to engage in an activity described in paragraph (1).

(highlights are obviously not included in the bill)


the cosponsors of this bill are

Eliot Engel, [D-NY16] (Riverdale, and Lower Westchester)

Anna Eshoo, [D-CA18] (Palo Alto)

Lois Frankel, [D-FL22] (Boca Raton)

Barbara Lee, [D-CA13] (Oakland)

Zoe Lofgren, [D-CA19]  (San Jose)

Alan Lowenthal, [D-CA47] (Long Beach)

Sean Maloney, [D-NY18] (Kiryas Yoel) (the openly gay congressman got over 1,500 votes in KJ)

Jim McDermott, [D-WA7] (Seattle, doesn't include Seward Park)

James “Jim” McGovern, [D-MA2] (Worcester)

Patrick Murphy, [D-FL18] (Port St Lucie)

Mark Pocan, [D-WI2] (Madison)

Jared Polis, [D-CO2] (Fort Collins, Boulder)

Lucille Roybal-Allard, [D-CA40] (Hispanic District in LA)

Jackie Speier, [D-CA14] (San Francisco, Daly City)

Mark Takano, [D-CA41] ()

Frederica Wilson, [D-FL24] (Miami, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Gardens)

Adam Schiff, [D-CA28] (Hollywood)

from the White Houses Website

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 24, 2014

FACT SHEET: Advancing The Human Rights Of LGBT Persons Globally

On June 24, 2014, the White House hosted the first-ever Global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Human "Rights" Forum, bringing together the faith community, private sector, philanthropy, HIV and other health advocates, LGBT activists from around the world, and the broader human rights community to discuss how to work together with the U.S. government and others to promote respect for the human rights of LGBT individuals around the world.   Participants discussed, among other topics, how to counter legislation that impinges on the rights of LGBT persons, the increasing enforcement in some countries of  "discriminatory" laws that have been dormant for some time, and other "threats" to LGBT individuals globally.

The Forum is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to use diplomacy and assistance to promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons around the world.  These efforts, which are governed by the landmark Presidential Memorandum of December 2011 on “International Initiatives to Advance the Human "Rights" of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons,” also include the following:
Combating Criminalization of LGBT Status or Conduct Abroad

• Country Engagement:  The United States regularly engages with host governments and civil society in countries that have "discriminatory" laws or are considering legislation that would criminalize consensual same-sex conduct between adults.  We press to discourage passage wherever possible, and in cases where laws are on the books, to protect LGBT individuals from violence and discrimination that often accompany the enactment and enforcement of such legislation. 
• Reporting:  We report on violence and discrimination in countries that criminalize same-sex conduct through focused discussion of LGBT issues in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, and we ensure U.S. citizens are aware of discriminatory laws and practices through the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Country Specific Information (CSI).

Protecting Human Rights and Advancing Nondiscrimination through Diplomatic and Pubic Engagement and Foreign Assistance
The United States supports programs that advance human rights and democracy for all; protect human rights defenders; train LGBT leaders to participate more effectively in democratic processes; and improve documentation of human "rights" violations and abuses.

• Programming and Partnerships:  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has expanded its investments, including through the LGBT Global Development Partnership, totaling, for July 2012 to December 2013, approximately $11 million in stand-alone programs.  Funding has built the capacity of local NGOs and LGBT leaders, provided health solutions, and supported victims of violence.  In addition, through a groundbreaking partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, USAID will enhance LGBT entrepreneurship and the growth of LGBT-led enterprises in up to six developing countries.  The Department of State-led Global Equality Fund is a multi-stakeholder initiative including governments, private foundations, and corporations that has provided more than $12 million since its launch in 2011 to promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons in over 50 countries worldwide. 
• Research and Learning to Guide LGBT Assistance Programs:  Improved understanding of the local political, legal and socio-economic realities of LGBT communities is necessary to design assistance programs that are effective and sustainable.  USAID funds multiple initiatives to assess the status of LGBT communities worldwide.
• Examining the rights of LGBT persons in Vetting for U.S. Assistance:  The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) examines human rights, including the human rights of LGBT persons, through its Civil Liberties indicator, which is used as one of the criteria to determine country eligibility for MCC assistance. In situations where concerns for the interests of LGBT individuals are identified during due diligence on a proposed project, MCC integrates these concerns into its social and gender assessment and oversight. 
• Access to Health Services:  The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) works with national governments and civil society to help build environments that enable access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment without discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. 
• Trade and Investment:  Departments and agencies – from the Department of Commerce to the Export-Import Bank of the United States – raise concerns with economic and commercial actors about the effect on the business climate of laws, regulations, and practices that "discriminate" against LGBT persons.  Several U.S. trade agreements include opportunities for cooperative engagement between Parties to address labor-related concerns, including employment "discrimination", which provides a mechanism for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to discuss concerns related to employment "discrimination" of LGBT persons. 
• Public Engagement:  In Washington and at embassies and consulates abroad, departments and agencies use public statements, public events, and public outreach to governments and civil society to demonstrate support for LGBT persons. remember the gay flag over Tel Aviv

Responding to Human Rights "Abuses" of LGBT Persons Abroad 
We recognize the importance of acting quickly and effectively in countries where the rights of LGBT persons are at risk and have developed a rapid response mechanism to address situations of concern and persons at risk.

• Rapid Response Mechanism:  Each of our embassies and consulates provide prompt human rights reporting on situations of concern.  When a crisis emerges, an interagency task force is formed to coordinate with key stakeholders, including partner nations and civil society representatives. 
• Preventing and Responding to Violence and Discrimination:  The State Department – in collaboration with U.S.-based law enforcement organizations – trains law enforcement officers from other nations on the unique challenges and approaches to investigating, responding to, and preventing hate crimes.  In 2014, the State Department sponsored counter hate crimes training for law enforcement officials from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico.  In addition, State supports a Violent Crimes Task Force in Honduras that investigates and supports the prosecution of LGBT-related homicide cases. 

Protecting Vulnerable LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States is committed to identifying protection gaps for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers and developing targeted interventions to address those gaps.

• Training and Capacity-Building:  The Department of State has developed and completed training for Department staff and resettlement partners overseas and continues to engage with government and international organizations to promote protection of and assistance to LGBT refugees.  The State Department also funds the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other non-governmental and international organization partners to develop training materials focused on LGBT refugees and asylum seekers and strengthen institutional capacity to address their unique needs. At the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service’s Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate trains refugee and asylum officers using a comprehensive module on LGBT issues. 
• Programming: The State Department has supported non-governmental partners to conduct research and pilot new programs to support LGBT refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas, and has also provided targeted assistance to partners working to provide safe shelter and services for LGBT survivors of gender-based violence.
• Humanitarian Diplomacy:  We raise, on an on-going basis, the needs of LGBT refugees with host governments and the United Nations.  The State Department annually communicates information to all U.S. embassies about the U.S. refugee resettlement process, including as it relates to LGBT applicants.
• Assessing Risk:  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) designed a new Risk Classification Assessment instrument that directs ICE officers to consider special vulnerabilities when making custody and classification decisions, including whether a person may be at risk due to sexual orientation or gender identity.  The 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards requires that sexual orientation or gender identity be considered as a potential special vulnerability requiring particular consideration in housing a detainee.

Engaging International Organizations in the Fight against LGBT Discrimination
The United States partners with a diverse group of countries to advocate for the human rights of LGBT persons at the United Nations and in other multilateral fora.

• Coordination:  At the United Nations, the United States is part of the fifteen-member New York LGBT core group and the Geneva-based Group of Friends that coordinates on LGBT issues.  We regularly raise LGBT issues in meetings with UN counterparts and have advocated for LGBT-related recommendations as part of the UN’s Universal Periodic Review process. 
• Human Rights Engagement:  We co-sponsored and supported passage of the first-ever Human Rights Council resolution addressing the issue of violence toward LGBT persons, have consistently spoken in support of these issues through statements from the floor, and have used our convening power to bring countries and civil society together at a variety of meetings and events. 
• Health Engagement:  With the support of the United States, for the first time the World Health Organization has begun discussions on the negative repercussions of stigma, discrimination, and other barriers to care for LGBT persons in the health system as a whole.  Our efforts resulted in a groundbreaking Pan-American Health Organization resolution on LGBT health in 2013, which emphasized that equal access to care is a health issue and called on countries to collect data on access to health care and health facilities for their LGBT population. 
• Multinational Development Bank (MDB) Engagement:  The Treasury Department encourages the MDBs to strengthen attention to LGBT issues in their human resources policies, and to protect the human rights of LGBT persons and advance social inclusion and non-discrimination through MDBs’ projects, including, for example, studies to measure the economic cost of discrimination against LGBT persons, and steps to ensure that LGBT persons can access projects’ benefits without being exposed to harm. 

Strengthening U.S. Government Capacity
Through training, working groups, the development of personnel and external policies, and other mechanisms, department and agencies have redoubled their efforts to advance the human rights of LGBT persons.  Such efforts include Peace Corps beginning in June 2013 to accept applications from same-sex couples to serve together abroad as Volunteers; USAID releasing its first LGBT Vision for Action; and the State Department developing an LGBT Toolkit to guide engagement at embassies globally and in Washington.

America's Top Foreign Policy Regarding Human Rights Is Promoting "Gay Rights"

 This is from the White House's website on Obama's "Human Rights" Agenda. I edited out other areas and marked where I did so, The first item on the agenda was "LGBT-Rights"

Fact Sheet: Obama Administration Leadership on International Human Rights

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

2013-12-04

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
December 4, 2013
“People everywhere long for the freedom to determine their destiny; the dignity that comes with work; the comfort that comes with faith; and the justice that exists when governments serve their people — and not the other way around. The United States of America will always stand up for these aspirations, for our own people and for people all across the world. That was our founding purpose.”
President Barack Obama, September 25, 2012

“Advancing democracy and respect for human rights is central to our foreign policy. It is what our history and our values demand, but it’s also profoundly in our interests. That is why the United States remains firmly committed to promoting freedom, opportunity and prosperity everywhere. We stand proudly for the rights of women, the LGBT community and ethnic minorities. We defend the freedom for all people to worship as they choose not freedom of religion, and we champion open government and civil society, freedom of assembly and a free press.


We support these rights and freedoms with a wide range of tools, because history shows that nations that respect the rights of all their citizens are more just, more prosperous and more secure.”
Ambassador Susan E. Rice, December 4, 2013

On December 4, 2013, Ambassador Susan E. Rice delivered an address outlining the Obama Administration’s global leadership on human rights. This fact sheet provides further detail on a number of the Administration’s key human rights initiatives highlighted in her remarks.
Advancing LGBT Rights at Home and Abroad

• Domestically Advancing LGBT Equality: In his first term, President Obama and his Administration took significant steps toward equality for the LGBT community. The President signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that included important new protections for the LGBT community. The Obama Administration also issued important guidance to ensure visitation rights for LGBT patients and their loved ones at hospitals receiving Medicare or Medicaid payments, implemented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and prohibited discrimination against LGBT people in federally funded housing programs. Finally, the President also ended the legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act and has directed his Department of Justice to work with other departments and agencies to ensure the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor is swiftly implemented, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations.

• International Initiatives to Advance LGBT Rights and Nondiscrimination: In December 2011, President Obama signed the first-ever Presidential Memorandum on International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of LGBT Persons read this link, requiring that federal agencies work together to meet common goals in support of the human rights of LGBT persons globally. Consistent with these goals, the United States assists activists and individuals under threat around the world through public statements, quiet diplomatic engagement, and targeted programs. Through the Global Equality Fund and the LGBT Global Development Partnership, the United States works with government and private sector partners to support programs that combat discriminatory legislation; protect human rights defenders; train LGBT leaders on how to participate more effectively in democratic processes; and increase civil society capacity to document human rights violations. Additional programs and research focus on protecting vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers.

• Combating Criminalization of LGBT Status or Conduct Abroad: Working with our embassies overseas and civil society on the ground, the United States has developed strategies to combat criminalization of LGBT status or conduct in countries around the world.

• Engaging International Organizations in the Fight against LGBT Discrimination: The United States works with our partners to defend the human rights of LGBT persons through the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and in other multilateral fora. In addition to supporting resolutions specific to LGBT issues, such as cosponsoring the historic June 2011 UN Human Rights Council resolution on the human rights of LGBT persons, the United States works to ensure that LGBT persons are included in broader human rights resolutions and statements.

• Promoting Action and Coordination: The United States will host in 2014 a global gathering of donors and activists to pursue ways we can work together to strengthen protections for LGBT persons around the world, including by ensuring assistance in this area is strategic and coordinated with our like-minded partners.

More detailed information on U.S. leadership to advance equality for LGBT people abroad is available here read this link too.

Edited out section here

Strengthening Multilateral Human Rights Mechanisms

• Leading at the UN Human Rights Council: Since joining the UN Human Rights Council in 2009 and following our re-election in 2012, U.S. leadership has helped muster international action to address human rights violations worldwide and make the HRC more credible and effective. The United States supported the establishment of international commissions of inquiry to investigate human rights violations and help lay the groundwork for accountability, including in Syria, North Korea, and Qadhafi’s Libya. We led the creation of a UN special rapporteur on Iran to highlight the deteriorating human rights situation. U.S. co-sponsorship helped adopt the first-ever resolution in the UN system on the human rights of LGBT persons. We built a global coalition to advance freedom of assembly and association worldwide, including by facilitating the establishment of the first-ever Special Rapporteur for these issues and by underscoring the important role civil society plays in promoting and protecting human rights. And we worked across historical divides to win adoption of a landmark resolution calling on all states to take positive measures to combat intolerance, violence, and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, while protecting the freedom of expression.
  

More detailed information on U.S. accomplishments in the UN Human Rights Council is available here. Edited out section here

(White House's web site) highlights are this blogs additions

"US stands Proudly For The Rights Of The LGBT community; National Security Advisor, Susan Rice

National Security Advisor Susan Rice (Photo public domain) National Security Adviser Susan Rice on Wednesday stressed support of LGBT "rights" remains an essential part of American foreign policy. “The United States remains firmly committed to promoting freedom, opportunity and prosperity everywhere,” she said during a speech at the Newseum in downtown Washington during Human Rights First’s annual Human Rights Summit. “We stand "proudly" for the rights of women, the LGBT community and minorities.”

Rice noted President Obama spoke in support of LGBT rights during a June press conference in the Senegalese capital with the African country’s president the day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and struck down California’s Proposition 8. Senegal is among the more than 70 countries in which homosexuality remains criminalized. BH India recently joined them 

The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations further highlighted Obama’s meeting with Russian LGBT Network Chair Igor Kochetkov, Olga Lenkova of Coming Out and seven other Russian human rights advocates during the G-20 summit that took place in St. Petersburg, Russia, in September.

Rice noted the U.S. “often can cooperate with Russia” on arms control and other “vital interests,” but she was quick to criticize the Kremlin’s human rights record.

“As we meet these mutual challenges, "we" don’t remain silent about the Russian government’s systematic efforts to curtail the actions of Russian civil society, to stigmatize the LGBT "community",” Rice said. “"We" deplore selective justice and the prosecution of those who protest the corruption and cronyism that is sapping Russia’s economic future and limiting its potential to play its full role on the world stage.”
Rice also pointed out in her speech the U.S. has backed pro-LGBT resolutions on the U.N. Human Rights Council and in the Organization of American States and the Pan-American Health Organization.

“No one should face discrimination because of who they are or whom they love,” she said. “We’re working to lead internationally as we have domestically on LGBT issues.”

Rice noted the Obama administration supports “full equality” for LGBT Americans that includes the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” She also cited slain San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk and the late-former New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug , who introduced the first federal gay rights bill in 1975(who had Malkiel, and Aaron Kotler's aunt endorsement when she ran for mayor 2 years later), as among the “champions who fought to bring us closer to ideals” outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that members of the U.N. General Assembly approved 65 years ago this month.
 
“Continuing their work at home and expanding it around the globe is our great commission as inheritors of their legacy,” Rice said.
She also met with Kaspars Zalitis of the Latvian LGBT advocacy group Mozaika, Jovanka Todorovic of the Labris Lesbian Human Rights Organization in Serbia and other human rights advocates after her speech.
Rice served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 until Obama tapped her to succeed then-National Security Advisor Tom Donilon in June after he resigned. She backed a resolution in support of LGBT rights the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted in 2011.
She withdrew her name as a potential successor to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton late last year amid controversy over the Sept. 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others dead.
(Washington Blade) highlights our additions

In a major policy address in Washington, National Security Adviser Susan Rice said the promotion of human rights around the world is central to U.S. foreign policy

“The United States remains firmly committed to promoting freedom, opportunity and prosperity everywhere. We stand "proudly" for the rights of women, the LGBT community and minorities,” Ms. Rice said. “We defend the freedom of all people to worship as they choose, and we champion open government and civil society, freedom of assembly and a free press. We support these rights and freedoms with a wide range of tools because history shows that nations that respect the rights of all their citizens are more just, more prosperous and more secure.”

(Voice Of America) (A Official US Government News service)  from Wikipedia

• Voice of America (VOA) is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government.

 Notice she says worship not religion, what she means by worship is avodah similar to the mishna in Pirkay Avos
הוא היה אומר, על שלושה דברים העולם עומד--על התורה, ועל העבודה, ועל גמילות החסדים
In short a country can have full freedom of worship even if it bans that milah, shechita, forces people to work on Shabbos etc.


Listen to the tax funded pro LGBT propaganda


 Goverment Propaganda machine at work to promote the LGBT (I changed the title)

By Elizabeth Chuck, Staff Writer, NBC News

News consumers in the U.S. can now hear and watch reports from one of the largest broadcasting groups in the world — after decades of their taxpayer dollars funding them.

The change is due to a law, which went into effect on July 2, that authorizes an independent network of U.S. government-supported broadcasters called the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to transmit their programs — which include Voice of America provider of part of the pro LGBT editorial, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting — to U.S. households.

BBG's mission, according to its website, is to "inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy." Its budget for the 2012 fiscal year, fully funded by taxpayers, was $752.7 million, according to a spokeswoman.

But since 1948, BBG had only been allowed to disseminate its material to foreign listeners — this due to a law called the Smith-Mundt Act passed three years after World War II.