UN Declaration on LGBT Rights

I try hard to make my blog more about France and America and culture differences and similarities than about gay stuff. Mostly because my life is about traversing the two cultures than about being lesbian.
But, happily, today, the two intersect and I have the pleasure/displeasure of posting a link to the following from 365gay.com: Vatican Trashes First UN Declaration of LGBT Human Rights

I am having a difficult time finding any articles from good news sources in France, but no worries, I've got my frenchies on the case :-) In the mean time, take a look at this article: Act-Up La moindre des choses

France was on the forefront of Human Rights issues 60 years ago when the first Human Rights declaration was being passed in the General Assembly. And it is nice that this is being proposed now. The Vatican's issue with it is quite interesting because if you look at France's acceptance of gay marriage, it is not full. France has PACS, which is a civil union (that hetero couples can get as well if they don't want a religious marriage), but in France, like in many places that grant civil unions, the recognitions and rights are not the same. Tax benefits, adoption rights, etc. Point being that the Vatican thinks France's ulterior motive with this Declaration of rights is to make countries around the world grant marriages to gay, lesbian and trans couples, when really, France doesn't give marriages or even civil unions of equal rights right now!
Not that I see anything good in France's current status, but there seems to be a fallacy in The Vatican's argument.

There is a lot to be excited about soon! On December 9th: The State of Iowa Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments in the Varnum v. Brien case in which the court will decide the fate of the gay marriage case. On December 10th, the whole country is supposed to Call in Gay to work as part of our on-going civil disobedience movement. And the 10th is also the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Should we need a special declaration? No. Do we? yes. When the President of Iran says that there aren't any Gay people in his country and my immediate reaction is to say "that's because you have killed them all" and there are at least 90 other countries in the world that imprison people for being openly or suspected of being gay, we need a declaration.


So, let's give France a hand.