UN Secretary General refuses to withdraw stamps promoting LGBT agenda
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has ignored strong criticism from a large number of member states, over the recent promotion of the LGBT agenda through a new set of postage stamps.
The stamps were introduced as part of the LGBT 'Free and Equal' campaign last month and depict same-sex couples and same-sex parenting.
On the UN stamp website, the campaign is described as a "global public education campaign dedicated to raising awareness of homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination globally."
The stamps were revealed at the UN headquarters in New York City, in the midst of a ceremony that included performances by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.
Stephen Cutts, UN assistant secretary general, claimed: "We need to change attitudes to one of acceptance."
On the eve of the event, many reportedly tried to prevent the release of the stamps.
Charles Radcliffe, head of the Free and Equal campaign, responded to the objections by pointing to the 76 countries that penalise practising homosexuality.
"Every day the UN is working to get these laws repealed," he said. He also claimed that every year hundreds of people who identify as LGBT die and thousands are hurt.
Ban Ki-moon has claimed the stamps are "in line with the mandate" of the UN Postal Administration, which is to produce stamps that promote the work of the UN.
'UN should not take unilateral decisions on such sensitive matters'
Nigeria's ambassador Usman Sarki has told the UN secretariat that it should not be promoting causes that a large number of member states strongly oppose.
At a meeting of national representatives, he said:
"We wish to remind the UN to limit itself strictly to activities mandated by member states and especially to promote issues that are beneficial to mankind rather than lend itself as tool to promote aberrant behaviour under the guise of promoting human rights."
"The UN should not take unilateral decisions on such sensitive matters that offend the sensibilities of the majority of its member states, and contradict their religious beliefs, cultures, traditions and laws," he added.
The Group of Friends of the Family, numbering 24 countries and spearheaded by Belarus, Egypt and Qatar, also criticised the secretariat for promoting a "deeply controversial agenda".
A letter from one of Ki-moon's subordinates in reply dismissed the possibility of withdrawing the stamps.
"While it would not be possible to withdraw the stamps, in view of the seriousness of your concerns, we are taking this opportunity to review the internal procedures governing the issue of United Nations stamps," it said.
States are 'having the LGBT agenda imposed on them against their wishes'
Chief Executive of Christian Concern, Andrea Williams, said that in ignoring the widespread opposition to the campaign, the UN is pushing its agenda on a large number of member states.
"Out of 193 member states, 76 do not support same-sex relations. That is around 40%. In addition, some of the countries that tolerate same-sex relations do not actively promote it.
"This is a significant number of countries that are having the LGBT agenda being imposed on them against their wishes."
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UN chief dismisses countries critical of LGBT stamp (Life Site)
