| Abstract: | Comments on the article by G. Herek, "Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective," (see record 2006-11202-004). Herek provided a useful overview of psychological research relevant to the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Another avenue of advocacy that the American Psychological Association could undertake would be to take advantage of its status as an accredited nongovernmental organization at the United Nations and aim to amend the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, originally approved in 1948. This document, noble in many respects, contains standards that limit the rights of gays and lesbians to legally marry. It is troubling that the very United Nations that advocates for human rights around the globe perpetuates these hetero-normative standards. Amending the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights would be a positive step toward providing a legal rationale and international precedent for equal civil rights for gays and lesbians within the United States and other countries. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
