Gay rights

There was good news from New Mexico yesterday, where the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples must be granted marriage rights under the state constitution's protection of equal rights.

Even better news today, when I learned that the court's decision was unanimous.

But there was equally bad news coming from Uganda.    World activists have been working for several years now trying to prevent the Ugandan Parliament from passing the proposed anti-gay law that would include the death penalty for homosexual acts.

They did manage to get that clause struck out, but they did pass a strong anti-gay law that includes life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality."  Proponents of the law claimed that, even though homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda, the stronger penalty law was needed because homosexuals from the West threatened to destroy Ugandan families and are allegedly recruiting children into the gay lifestyle.

President Obama has previously called the law "odious," and it has been widely condemned by world leaders.

Back to the positive:   President Obama's choices for the official delegation to represent his administration at the Winter Olympics in Russia sends a powerful message.   No one of any high position is going, and the group includes three openly gay athletes.    Recently resigned Sec. of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is a former cabinet member, but no current cabinet member, no VP and no POTUS or FLOTUS.

We chose not to boycott the games in protest of Russia's repressive anti-gay laws.  Instead we are going and making a powerful statement.   I think that's the right decision.

Ralph