Republican Congressman: ‘Gay rights are not human rights’
By Josh Haggis
A Republican Congressman has argued that gay rights are not human rights.
Chris Smith, who represents New Jersey’s 4th district in the US House of Representatives, made the comments following the arrest of 12 men in Nigeria this week who are being charged for allegedly attending a gay wedding.
Smith told the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee during a meeting this week that people “must not construe homosexual rights as human rights,” before then going on to question whether the US government’s opposition to anti-gay legislation has negatively affected their relationship with Nigeria.
LGBT charity The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has condemned Smith’s comments, with the HRC’s Global Director Ty Cobb calling the comments “incredibly disappointing” in a statement.
“It is incredibly disappointing to see Smith pit some people’s human rights against the human rights of others. Freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of association are universal human rights, that apply to all people, no matter who they are or who they love,” said Cobb.
More stories:
Big Brother star Rebekah Shelton opens up about transition
Colin Farrell says Ewan McGregor is ‘well-hung’