WASHINGTON (CNN) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged Monday to fight for gay rights and called on the world to stop discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation.
"As secretary of state, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity," Clinton said in a written statement.
President Barack Obama has proclaimed June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.
Clinton's statement marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, often considered the launch of the U.S. gay rights movement.
"The example set by those fighting for equal rights in the United States gives hope to men and women around the world who yearn for a better future for themselves and their loved ones," Clinton said.
She acknowledged that gays and lesbians still have a long way to go to achieve equality in the United States, but noted homosexuals in some parts of the world live in constant fear of violence or arrest.
"The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end," Clinton said.
The Obama administration broke with that of George W. Bush to support a United Nations resolution calling for decriminalization of homosexuality, which is currently punishable by death in seven countries.
In addition, Clinton aides last month said the secretary of state soon will extend to same-sex partners of homosexual diplomats benefits equal to those that partners of their heterosexual colleagues receive.
In her statement Monday, Clinton saluted the service of "our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Washington and around the world."
From CNN Politics
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bill is not gay Hillary, but fighting for the minority shows a lack of respect for the majority, Just like a Clinton, only after one thing, praise for kissing butt.
So, we have no rights..but we should be grateful that Obama declared June to be our "pride month".
I believe we've taken that for our own first off...and I'd prefer the ability to marry my partner and be able to visit her in the hospital god forbid that ever happens...
I think I'll go w/ I'm angry I have no rights instead of thankful for having a month...
Yay!
Why don't we have National Straight Day? Do we have to have Gay Parades across America? Can't they just join the circus or something?
nice.!
That's really going to muddy up our Juneteenth celebrations here in Texas.
She should fight for gay rights in the middle east. They will love her there.
I would say this pretty much cancels out any good effect Barry will achieve when he visit Saudi Arabia next week. And I bet you Barry is seething right now over this remark.
I would hope the Annointed One (Hussein Obama) would see fit to proclaim one of the other months of the year as Heterosexual Month.
I would like union with my Chihuahua. Will Rodham support that ?
i love this lady more and more.
thank you hillary clinton, keep up the great work you do.
peace
She's a fantastic woman, and has spent her whole life fighting for the rights of others.
Citizens of 30 states amended their state constitutions to prevent activist judges from forcing same-sex "marriage" on them.
It is a safe bet that the US Supreme Court will force same-sex "marriage" on the entire country in the next couple years, overriding the state constitutions.
I applaud the effort but that claim rings hollow when the United States still discriminates against Homosexuals. We need to lead by example and not just in words.
God Please forgive our Country for not reading & following thy teachings!
Please and stay gone
I don't care what you do in your bedroom, but don't push your agenda on children. Why aren't polygomists included in the list?
I am glad to see that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is taking LGBTQ rights seriously. I know that with her passion for women's rights that she will offer the same respect to people of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Trans-Gender, and Queer identities. Have conservatives forgotten that it was the late Barry Morris Goldwater who said "you don't have to be straight; you just have to shoot straight"? This is of course referring to people of these sexual orientations serving in our Armed Forces. Keep up the great work Madam Secretary. You are doing a great job.
Go Hillary. I should have voted for you in the primary.
That's nice. Maybe she can start with CALIFORNIA!!!
Absolutely beautiful Hillary, thank you!
baby steps!
How about a Christian Month obama? How disgusting can it be to have a gay month. Need all the voters you can get obama? How about a cartoon month so all the Mickey Mouses can vote for you?
Why gay or women rights? Why not simply human rights? If all of us have human rights, doesn't that cover us all? Am I just too naive?
There will always be discrimination. Gay's just need to realize that. You can't change human nature, and it's not smart to try.