Sexual Orientation Resolutions

Sexual Orientation and the UN in 2013 (Continuation)

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Sexual Orientation and the un: 16. We agree with the United Nations Secretary-General's assessment that combating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity constitutes “one of the great, neglected human rights challenges of our time”. We hereby commit ourselves to working together with other States and civil society to make the world safer, freer and fairer for LGBT people everywhere.

More about Sexual Orientation and the un

On December 18, 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Preparations for and observance of the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. U.N. Doc. A/RES/68/136. The United States joined consensus on the resolution, providing a statement underscoring the need to value all types of families, including those headed by same-sex couples. The U.S. explanation of position on the resolution follows.

Development

The United States is pleased to join consensus on the resolution before us today to further discussions at the United Nations about the human rights enjoyed by all individuals within a family, including through marking the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. The family clearly plays an important role within society, and we have come to observe that the nature and role of the family adapt over time while the family retains its fundamental value. We agree with the sentiment in the resolution that recognizes how important families are to the development of children. “An atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding,” as the resolution notes, is central to our understanding of the family in today's world. The United States thus looks forward to discussions at the United Nations that consider all types of loving families that exist today, be those families headed by one mother and father, a single parent, a same-sex couple, grandparents, or the myriad other family structures which provide essential support for raising children. It is essential that UN recognize these various forms of the family as we further address human rights and the family throughout various UN fora.

Details

On November 6, 2013, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Elizabeth Cousins remarked on the resolution the U.S. co-sponsored entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.” Ambassador Cousens' remarks are excerpted below and available in full at (link resource) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/217266.htm.

More

… We especially want to draw attention to the language in the resolution “calling upon host countries to promote social inclusion without discrimination of any kind.” This is the first time that language of this kind appears in a resolution on the Olympic Truce, and it sends a powerful message highlighting the role that sport plays for all people. This phrase emphasizes the importance of inclusion and participation of all people in sporting activity, regardless of identity, including persons of different sexual orientations and gender identities. In its recitation of the fundamental principles of Olympism, the Olympic Charter states “Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Resources

Notes

1. Sexual Orientation and the UN in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law