Respeito
A rainha Elizabeth II assina hoje, em
Londres, uma nova declaração de direitos humanos contra a discriminação de
homossexuais.
Queen Elizabeth Takes Historic Stand Against Discrimination
Queen
Elizabeth II is set to make history later today when she signs a new
charter taking a stand against discrimination, which some have
interpreted as tacit support of gay rights.
The
86-year-old matriarch will sign the agreement in public to show her
support. With the stroke of the pen, the queen will be making a symbolic
pledge for equal rights for billions of people in 54 countries in the
British Commonwealth around the world.
The
Commonwealth Charter states opposition to "all forms of discrimination,
whether rooted in gender, race, color, creed, political belief or other
grounds."
"This
is believed to be the first time she's shown her support of gay rights.
That's a big step," ABC News royal contributor Victoria Arbiter said.
The
charter is still only a symbolic step for many of the 54 countries
because homosexuality is still illegal in 41 of the nations in the
British Commonwealth.
Embodying
centuries of stuffy royal tradition, Britain's head of state has
recently learned to relax a little, showing she's moving with the times.
But never in her 61 years as monarch has she done anything like this
before.
"The
queen has to remain politically neutral," Arbiter said. "While we won't
hear her personal views on this, the fact that she is endorsing it
publically in front of television cameras, it really does speak
volumes."
Reading between the lines, the British papers are also hailing this as a watershed moment for the new rules of succession.
The
timing couldn't be any better with the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate
Middleton, giving birth this summer. By signing this pledge, the queen
is giving a silent nod to the changes.
If Middleton has a baby girl, her daughter will one day be the queen.
(Published by ABC News - March 11, 2013)