Just in time for the start of LGBT History Month, the Trump administration reinforced the message that gay rights are not part of its concern.
During the United Nations Human Rights council on Sept. 29, Nikki Haley, the UN ambassador for the United States, voted “no” on a resolution that condemned the usage of the death penalty for same-sex relationships and other acts.
This sent a resounding message to the world that the U.S. is not ready and will not fight for gay rights.
So I ask, when does it end?
At what point will the government finally decide that gay rights are the same as human rights?
In response to public backlash against the UN resolution vote, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the vote was “because of broader concerns with the resolution’s approach in condemning the death penalty in all circumstances.”
Yet, the resolution simply calls upon states who have not yet abolished the death penalty to consider doing so and condemned instances in which gay, underprivileged and poor people have been taken advantage of.
The resolution also urged countries that have not abolished the death penalty to ensure that it is not used as a sanction against those in a consensual same-sex relationship.
Much like the public, I was shocked by the vote. While the government has previously voted against abolishing the death penalty, I hoped that such a landmark resolution, especially one that included the global rights of LGBT people, would bring a different response.
The government made a statement several days later, claiming to “unequivocally condemn the application of the death penalty for homosexuality, blasphemy, adultery and apostasy.”
To me, it seems like a cop-out. If they were truly dedicated to the protection of LGBT people, then that would have been included in their original vote statement.
Instead, the government said nothing. Until they were forced to make a statement because of the public’s reaction.
Ambassador Haley couldn’t even be bothered to attend the UN’s LGBT Core Group meeting, a group that advocates for the rights of sexual and gender minorities.
Which, in itself, was statement enough.
Apparently, there is no place in the current government for protections for LGBT people, which they have proven again and again in the last ten months.
It’s disgraceful and a blatant disregard for a minority’s rights.
All I ask is that the government takes a step back and reconsiders its actions.
I encourage all students to reach out to their senators and seek change.
Allie is the Managing Editor of The Bulletin.