Since taking office, Obama has advocated for the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay service members and ordered the administration to stop enforcing a law defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The White House said Tuesday's announcement marked the first U.S. government strategy to combat human rights abuses against gays and lesbians abroad. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also is expected to speak about the announcements in Geneva later Tuesday. "The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States' commitment to promoting human rights," Obama said in a statement. pride celebrations, or killing men, women and children for their perceived sexual orientation.” 
 
 He said in the memorandum that the State Department would lead other federal agencies to help ensure that the government provided a “swift and meaningful response to serious incidents that threaten the human rights” of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people abroad.
– President Obama has ordered US agencies abroad to use foreign aid to fight for gay rights. "I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world," Obama wrote in a memorandum, calling the effort "central to the United States' commitment to promoting human rights," the AP reports. It's the first time the US government has taken steps to promote gay rights abroad, the White House says. It's unclear, however, whether it means that nations which discriminate will see their aid cut off, notes the New York Times. Hillary Clinton discussed the issue in a speech in Geneva ahead of International Human Rights Day this week, noting that while gay people may commit crimes "just like straight people," "it should never be a crime to be gay." Rick Perry was quick to jump on the decision, which follows renewed parliamentary debate in Uganda over a ban on homosexuality. "This administration’s war on traditional American values must stop," the GOP candidate said.