WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Tuesday endorsed the recent hosting by the American Embassy in Islamabad of the first-ever event to uphold the rights of gay, lesbians and transgender (GLBT), saying the US will continue to speak up for their rights.
“We will speak out for what we think is right anywhere in the world, including Pakistan,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said while responding to a question about anti-US demonstrations across Pakistan protesting the event.
Asked whether the Pakistan government has lodged a formal complaint with the US over that event, she said, “Not that I’m aware of today.”
On June 26, the American Embassy in Islamabad hosted the controversial gay rights event at which US Charged’ Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoaglanand assured the Pakistani participants that Washington would continue to support their cause.
“I think you know how strongly this (State) Department and Secretary Clinton feels about these issues, that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights, and that we will speak out for what we think is right anywhere in the world, including Pakistan,” the spokesperson added.
According to reports, with the New York victory for same-sex marriage fresh on the minds of homosexual activists, former Obama administration Chief of Staff and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants his town — and state — to keep up with the Big Apple. Emanuel “showed his support for the recently passed New York same-sex marriage law telling the leading American channel that he would support similar legislation in Illinois.
“Obama’s ally told Blitzer that he thought same-sex marriage is a “significant issue.”
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