Policymakers abroad: on Civil Rights
New Testament:
OpEd: Apply Sermon on the Mount to gays, not Romans
For many practicing Christians, the inability to compromise may apply to gay marriage. I find such a position troublesome, particularly in a society in which Christian men and women have been known to engage in adultery or other violations of their
faith without civil penalty. I believe that American society can choose to carve out a special place for the union of a man and a woman as the unit of child rearing most common to every culture. I am not willing to have the state deny American citizens
a civil union that confers equivalent rights no such basic matters as hospital visitation or health insurance coverage simlpy because the people they love are of the same sex--nor am I willing to accept a readingof the
Bible that considers an obscure line in Romans to be more defining of Christianity than the Sermon on the Mount. The heightened focus on marriage is a distraction from other, attainable measures to prevent discrimination and gays and lesbians.
Source: The Audacity of Hope (Obama), Foreign Influences, p.222-3
Oct 1, 2006
Vladimir Putin:
Signed "gay propaganda" law denying minors information
Russia's "gay propaganda" law is a classic example of political homophobia. When Putin signed the law in June 2013, he pandered to a conservative domestic support base. The legislation, formally titled the law "aimed at protecting children from
information promoting the denial of traditional family values," bans the "promotion of nontraditional sexual relations to minors"--a reference universally understood to mean a ban on providing children access to information about LGBT people's lives.
Source: Human Rights Watch on Foreign Influencers
Dec 11, 2018
Vladimir Putin:
Don't care about skin color: no reverse discrimination
Putin outlined his view of Russia's ideology as a counterbalance to what he derided as cancel culture and reverse racism. Here are some quotes from his speech."We're surprised to see things happening in countries that see themselves
as flagships of progress. The struggle for equality and against discrimination turns into aggressive dogmatism verging on absurdity.
Opposing racism is a necessary and noble thing, but the new 'culture of abolition' turns into 'reverse discrimination.' Here in Russia the absolute majority of our citizens don't care what color a person's skin is."
"In the coming era of global readjustment, which may last quite long and whose final outlook is unknown, moderate conservatism is the most reasonable line of conduct."
Source: The Moscow Times on Foreign Influencers
Oct 22, 2021
Vladimir Putin:
Russians treated equally regardless of race, gender, belief
Russian people are treated equally regardless of race, gender, or belief, President Vladimir Putin emphasized. "Russia has never had, nor does it have, nor will it ever have anything connected to restricting anyone's rights based on sexual orientation,
race or religious beliefs," Putin told an online meeting with the members of the working group that had drafted constitutional amendments.
Touching on the restrictions in place in Russia, the president mentioned the ban on the promotion of homosexuality among minors. "Let a person first grow up, become an adult, and then let them decide on their own fate,"
Putin insisted, explaining the logic of the ban. "Nothing must be imposed, that's what we are against," he said.
Source: Tass Russian News Agency on Foreign Influencers
Jul 3, 2020
Xi Jinping:
Many discriminated against for rural household registration
Some efforts to address inequality will invariably prove inadequate. It may take generations for people across China to recover from the Party's exploitative practices: more than two-thirds of children experience discrimination as a result
of having rural household registration. Many of them have little education and poor health. Some are even traumatized as they are "left behind" by parents who flock to cities for work.
Source: Human Rights Watch on Foreign Influences: "Tightening Up"
Oct 20, 2021
Xi Jinping:
Shut down LGBT social media accounts; boycott "sissy idols"
In July, the WeChat accounts of dozens of LGBT student organizations across China were shut down permanently in a move that took the groups by surprise. In September, China's top media regulator announced a boycott of what
it called "sissy idols", among other new guidelines, during an ongoing "clean-up" of the entertainment industry. This group includes pop idols who wear make-up or who do not conform to male stereotypes prevalent in traditional Chinese culture.
Source: South China Morning Post on Foreign Influences: "LGBT"
Oct 30, 2021
Liz Truss:
Allow private companies to decide policies on sex and gender
POLICY: Allow private companies to decide policies on sex and genderDATE & PLATFORM: August 25, leadership hustings in Norwich
SHE SAID WHAT?
I'm also somebody who believes in freedom … they can decide their policies as they see fit … I can decide to go in Marks and Spencer or not.
Source: Politico blog "Truss manifesto" on Foreign Influences
Sep 1, 2022
Rishi Sunak:
On trans rights, basic facts of biology remain important
As for transgender women's rights, Sunak said he "absolutely" agrees with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who states that "when it comes to distinguishing between a man and a woman, the basic facts of biology remain overwhelmingly important."
Their testament was condemned by trans-rights charity Gendered Intelligence, who said their words set out to "dehumanise trans people by reducing us to our body parts and suggesting we run counter to the 'basic facts of biology".
Source: Hunger Magazine on Foreign Influences
Oct 25, 2022
Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024