LGBT Hate Criminals Denied Entry To The US

LGBT activists have been pretty disappointed on President Obama’s stance on their rights so far. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” dragged on and his position on same-sex marriage has been a little wishy-washy.

But he has now made a decisive move to show the world and his country that gay rights are not something he takes lightly by signing a proclamation denying entry to any foreigner who “planned, ordered, assisted, aided and abetted, committed or otherwise participated in, including through command responsibility, widespread or systematic violence against any civilian population based in whole or in part on [...]  sexual orientation or gender identity, or who attempted or conspired to do so.”

“The United States’ enduring commitment to respect for human rights and humanitarian law requires that its Government be able to ensure that the United States does not become a safe haven for serious violators of human rights and humanitarian law and those who engage in other related abuses,” Obama states.

Mark Bromley, chair of the Council for Global Equality, praised the president for signing the proclamation, stating that it “could in principle be used to justify the exclusion of hate-promoting politicians like Ugandan parliamentarian David Bahati, who introduced a ‘kill the gays bill’ in a previous legislative session in Uganda and may do so again.”

While this bill doesn’t stop those who commit crimes against their own LGBT community to spread their message in other countries of the world, this proclamation will be a useful tool for calling them out.

But now that we know that the United States stands for the victimized LGBT communities outside its borders, maybe the Obama administration will have the courage to show more direct support to those inside the borders who are attacked for their sexual orientation.

Contact the author here: sedera@morningquickie.com

*Nosferatu cartoon by Slap Upside The Head.