US stalls signing UN gay rights statement

International gay rights groups expressed concern that the U.S. had not yet signed a proposed statement this week calling on the United Nations and countries throughout the world to condemn discrimination and persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The statement, proposed by France on behalf of the European Union, was scheduled to be presented to the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week. More than 50 countries have signed the statement. Photo: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Photo/Mark Garten. See US stalls signing UN gay rights statement Washington Blade