Posted on 07/25/2015 11:50:43 AM PDT by markomalley
The White House has shrugged off demands by some leaders that President Barack Obama steers clear of support for gay rights while in Kenya on July 25.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Obama was not expected to back away from addressing any particular tropic while in Kenya.
He was answering a question on the matter while addressing journalists during a daily briefing at the White House on Tuesday. "I had not been made aware of that particular announcement from Kenya.
Obviously, we have been clear that when the President travels around the world, he does not hesitate to raise concerns about human rights," Earnest said.
"And I'm confident that the President will not hesitate to make clear that the protection of basic universal human rights in Kenya is also a priority and consistent with the values that we hold dear here in the United States of America." The US Supreme Court recently ruled that homosexuals were free to get married in all American states, igniting debate worldwide. Obama hailed the ruling, saying that recognising same-sex marriages was a victory for the people of the United States. "Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle - that we are all created equal.
The project of each generation is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with the realities of changing times," Obama said after the ruling.
President Obama has used previous trips to Africa to urge governments to decriminalise homosexuality, but a number of Kenyan leaders have warned him not to talk about it. State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu however told journalists in Nairobi on Sunday that President Obama was free to talk on whatever subjects he wishes to. "Kenya cannot tell President Barack Obama what he will and will not say.
The government believes in the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution," Esipisu said. But this appears not to be the position held by all of government on the issue, as Attorney General Githu Muigai has already appealed a court order allowing the registration of a gay lobby group.
Last Sunday, speaking in church, Deputy President William Ruto said that he was ready to defend the country against homosexuality. "We have heard that in the US they have allowed gay relations and other dirty things. I want to say as a Christian leader that we will defend our country Kenya, we will stand for our faith and our country," Ruto said.
Separately, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has said Parliament and citizens have the capability "to sanction any advances perceived to encroach on our social fabric". "We will demonstrate firmness against such obtrusions," he assured. Majority Leader Aden Duale has also warned Obama, saying that the Jubilee Government will resist pressure to adopt same-sex marriage policies.
"We want to tell Obama that if one of the agendas of his visit is to push for the adoption of same-sex marriage, we won't accept it. As a Muslim and a leader in the Jubilee administration, I must tell the President the truth about issues that are dear to the Muslim community and I am happy that he listens," said Duale.
Do you think after he leaves office he will reveal stuff just to rub it in to his opposition? He does seem to love doing that.
Some things you simply cannot make up...
They won’t be able to gag him because in that area he is very competent.
See #23
Dear Kenya - Please KEEP HIM.
Mental illness is a human right.
Crikey!
Where are the Mau Mau when the motherland needs them the most?
Is his buddy Reggie along for the trip?
........ No ...... But I bet more than a few have gagged on him .....
He wishes?
Well, if you subdivide Africa into US friendly and US hostile nations, one thing is certain: Obama will sneeringly offend America’s friends, and bow and grovel, apologize and suck up to America’s enemies.
Like the Neil Patrick Harris commercial for Heineken.....where he says he won’t but his money where his mouth is.
Lord knows what gay parts go in there.
Pretty standard stuff for everyone who gets sheep-dipped.
Sad but Africa is more decent than America.
I truly believe this, too.
This country has gagged on this “president” for nearly seven years.
Even the MOOCH is appalled at that picture.....what an ASS.
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