September 30, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Tillerson declines to say whether ‘gay rights are human rights’

President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of state on Wednesday declined to specifically say whether “gay rights are human rights.”

“American values don’t accommodate violence or discrimination against anyone,” said former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson in response to a question U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) asked during his confirmation hearing that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held.

Coons also asked Tillerson whether he believes the promotion of gay rights is “a piece of our human rights advocacy and agenda around the world.”

“That’s part of that American values that we protect,” said Tillerson.

Tillerson did not specifically mention lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people.

Coons noted in his question that he previously met with a woman from Zimbabwe who received asylum in the U.S. because she was tortured “for who she was.” He also told Tillerson, who was a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s executive board when it voted to allow openly gay scouts into the organization in 2013, that he was “encouraged by his tough leadership moment.”

The promotion of LGBT and intersex rights abroad has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during President Obama’s second term.

Obama on Dec. 6, 2011, issued a presidential memorandum that directed agencies that implement U.S. foreign policy to promote LGBT and intersex rights. Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the same day delivered her “gay rights are human rights” speech in Geneva.

Tillerson on Wednesday did not say whether the Trump administration would continue the Obama administration’s policy. It also remains unclear whether the position of special U.S. envoy for the promotion of LGBT and intersex rights will remain at the State Department.

“In my work around the world, although not always easy or comfortable, it’s I think important that we include respect for the whole range of people’s relations in our menu of how we define human rights,” Coons told Tillerson.

Tillerson last month retired from ExxonMobil.

The company in 2015 added sexual orientation and gender identity to its nondiscrimination policy. Freedom to Work, an LGBT advocacy group, two years earlier filed a complaint against ExxonMobil that alleged it showed bias against prospective employees who were gay.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Human Rights Commission told the Blade last month that a second lawsuit accusing ExxonMobil of anti-gay discrimination is “still pending.”

Tillerson: U.S. needs ‘open and frank dialogue with Russia’

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) are among the committee members who raised concerns about Tillerson’s ties to Russia amid the backdrop of the Kremlin’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.

Tillerson in 2011 signed a $300 billion agreement with Russia that would allow his company to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean. The sanctions that the Obama administration imposed against the Kremlin in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea and other interventions in Ukraine derailed the project.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013 signed a controversial law that bans the promotion of so-called gay propaganda to minors in Russia. The Obama administration late last month expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and issued sanctions against two Russian intelligence agencies who the White House claims sought to disrupt the election.

“Russia has conducted very nefarious activities in our country,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Tillerson in his prepared statement said Russia “today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests.” He also criticized the Obama administration for an “absence of American leadership” towards the Kremlin.

“We need an open and frank dialogue with Russia,” said Tillerson.

Corker in a statement he released after the hearing said he supports Tillerson’s nomination.

“From the beginning of this process, I have been committed to ensuring the nominee for Secretary of State receives a fair and thorough hearing, and I am incredibly impressed with how Rex Tillerson has conducted himself,” said Corker. “Based on what I know today, I believe Mr. Tillerson has the potential to be an outstanding Secretary of State, and I look forward to supporting his nomination.”

Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo also supports Tillerson’s nomination.

Angelo in a letter that he sent to Corker on Tuesday noted Tillerson’s role in prompting the Boy Scouts to allow openly gay scouts. Log Cabin Republicans also highlighted ExxonMobil’s nondiscrimination policy.

“Voices of opposition have arisen against Mr. Tillerson since his nomination, many disparaging his record on issues related to LGBT equality,” wrote Angelo in his letter. “These criticisms completely overlook — in many cases willfully — the sensitivity and sympathy Mr. Tillerson has demonstrated throughout his career in regard to cultural issues.”

An email that the Democratic National Committee released after the hearing contained the subject line, “Exxon Has A Poor Track Record On LGBTQ Issues.”

It cited, among other things, a 2015 report that indicates ExxonMobil is the “largest investor” in Qatar. The small Gulf country that borders Saudi Arabia is among the more than 70 nations in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized.

— from the National Gay Media Association and Washington Blade

Related Posts

LGBTQ+ Rights at the Forefront: Governor’s Veto Sparks Outcry

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Uncover the Law Sparking Debate Among LGBTQ+ Supporters  By Dolores Quintana California Governor Gavin Newsom signed several bills on Saturday...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Mind-Blowing Premieres and Sensational Stars: TRK’s 2023 Fall Season Unveiled

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

Get Ready for a Cultural Extravaganza Like No Other at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz By Dolores Quintana Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK),...

ATWATER Unveils AutoNail Lacquer Collection in Collaboration with amfAR

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Four Unique Nail Lacquer Shades Celebrate Individuality By Dolores Quintana ATWATER, a leading name in beauty and personal care, proudly...

Boy Harsher Vocalist Jae Matthews Talks About Writing the Screenplay for the New Queer Horror Romance “My Animal”

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

We Delve Into the Origins of the Film and the Horror of Growing Up Queer in a Small Town By...

Demolition Commences at Historic Theatre, Paving the Way for Mixed-Use Redevelopment

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Construction Is To Begin on a 71-unit Complex With Commercial Space By Dolores Quintana The historic Fairfax Theatre is effectively...

Writers Guild and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement After 146-Day Strike

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Picketing Is Suspended For Now, Contract Language To Be Finalized By Dolores Quintana Around 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Writers Guild...

Iconic Greta Garbo Estate in Beverly Hills: Where Hollywood History Meets Modern Luxury

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Step Inside the Enchanting Oasis That Redefines Creative Living in Los Angeles By Dolores Quintana Experience the enchanting allure of...

California Renters Get Some Relief as Apartment Prices Again Drop in August

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Landlords Forced To Offer Discounts as Rental Units Stay Empty By Dolores Quintana In August, the average monthly cost of...

Anti-LGBTQ+ Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert Thrown Out of Family Friendly Beetlejuice Musical

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Boebert Was Ejected For Allegedly Vaping, Photography and Causing a Disturbance  By Dolores Quintana Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Colorado Republican...

Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video  By Dolores Quintana Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is facing criticism from...

Battle Over Marilyn Monroe’s Historic Last Home: Demolition Plans Stalled

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

CD 11 Councilmember Traci Park Steps In To Halt the Demolition  By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles City Council has...

Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

World Premiere of Documentary Was Screened After 20-Minute Delay By Dolores Quintana The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live...

City of West Hollywood Seeks Public Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan During September

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

Community Engagement Efforts Encourage Feedback to Enhance Safety  By Dolores Quintana The City of West Hollywood seeks to foster community...

Los Angeles County Sees Sixth Week of Rising COVID-19 Transmission; Urges Vigilance

September 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

Increasing Hospitalizations and Variant Concerns Prompt Heightened Safety Measures By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles County is currently grappling with a...