“Last night United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council, in which she declared that “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.”
This extraordinary speech marks a watershed moment in the fight for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights across the globe and is another example of Secretary Clinton’s lifetime of work standing up for communities and people who need a voice and an advocate. Many thanks to President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their clear and meaningful words and actions on LGBT rights.

By sending a message of international community, Secretary Clinton told the world that all nations must protect LGBT citizens and allow them to live in freedom. She acknowledged that we have more work to do to ensure LGBT equality in our own country. She also declared that laws that require equal protections reinforce the moral imperative of equality. And finally she gave hope to all us by proclaiming, “Wherever you live and whatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a network of support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone. People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face.”
All New Yorkers should feel proud of our former U.S. Senator, our government and our country.”
The full text and video of Secretary Clinton’s speech can be viewed at
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/12/178368.htm

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