Hillary Clinton declares 'gay rights are human rights'

[Gerald]

The US has publicly declared it will fight discrimination against gays and lesbians abroad by using foreign aid and diplomacy to encourage reform.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an audience of diplomats in Geneva that "gay rights are human rights".A memo from the Obama administration directs US government agencies to consider gay rights when making aid and asylum decisions.Similar policies already exist for gender equality and ethnic violence."It should never be a crime to be gay" Mrs Clinton said at the United Nations in Geneva, adding that a country's cultural or religious traditions was no excuse for discrimination. Her audience included representatives from countries where homosexuality is a criminal offence.Many ambassadors rushed out of the room as soon as Mrs Clinton finished speaking, the Associated Press news agency reported.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16062937


Note: 7 December 2011 Last updated at 02:49 GMT