Archbishop Tutu Makes History Again

Archbishop Desmond Tutu took yet another historic step in embracing the GLBT community last week.

From the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC):

Comparing the importance of speaking up for human rights to the basic act of breathing, Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave an historic speech to the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex (LGBTI) community at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco last night. A crowd of 500 people heard the Nobel Peace Prize recipient condemn the persecution of LGBTI people, apologize on behalf of his Church for ostracizing gay people, and challenge China to improve its human rights record—all in the first ever direct address by the Archbishop to a large gathering of the LGBTI community in the United States.

“When IGLHRC invited Archbishop Tutu to come to San Francisco to accept its OUTSPOKEN Award, we had no idea that our event would coincide with such a momentous time in the history of human rights activism,” said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC’s executive director. “The Archbishop's speech at this unique historical moment affirms that human rights apply to each and every human being—in South Africa, in the United States, in China, and around the world. Activists and governments alike should heed the Archbishop's words. He is a moral luminary whose inclusive approach to human rights advocacy paves the way for a better world.”

It's a shame that it is so noteworthy for a religious leader to show love and compassion to a sector of the population, but thanks to efforts like Archbishop Tutu's, that may not be the case in my generation.