Obama announces foreign aid to promote gay rights; plan panned by Perry

President Barack Obama announced Tuesday a new initiative to promote rights for and prevent laws targeting gays and lesbians abroad.

Obama released a memorandum directing federal agencies to use foreign aid dollars to combat the criminalization of homosexuality, protect LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, and respond to human rights abuses in foreign countries.

"The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights," Obama said in a statement. "I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world, whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation."

The move was criticized almost immediately by Republican challenger Rick Perry, who said Obama was "out of touch with America's values."

"Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America's interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers' money," Perry said. "But there is a troubling trend here beyond the national security nonsense inherent in this silly idea. This is just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country. Investing tax dollars promoting a lifestyle many Americas of faith find so deeply objectionable is wrong."

The order came as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told other diplomats at a meeting in Geneva Tuesday that cultural and religious differences could not legitimize discrimination against gays.

Clinton equated the struggle for gay rights to similar pushes along racial or gender lines, and criticized those nations seeking to criminalize homosexuality.

And while the administration's action was criticized by Republicans, gay rights groups applauded the move.

“As Americans, we understand that no one should be made a criminal or subject to violence or even death because of who they are, no matter where they live,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. “Today’s actions by President Obama make clear that the United States will not turn a blind eye when governments commit or allow abuses to the human rights of LGBT people.”

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