(Image source: The White House/Pete Souza)

BY JESSICA SIBERT

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

As the world prepares to celebrate Human Rights Day on December 10th, the Obama administration has issued a memorandum that could make the day even more meaningful. MSNBC reports.

“This presidential memorandum is really the first of its kind. It states that the White House will consider how foreign countries treat the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community before they give out foreign aid. So, certainly a first here.”

As part of his new order, President Obama said the U.S. will provide asylum to LGBT persons from abroad whose rights are being abused. He will also require all federal agencies abroad that are engaged in the initiative to report within 180 days on their progress.

Via the WhiteHouse’s website, the President said:

“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.”

Currently, more than 70 countries prosecute people based on their sexual orientation -- seven of which list the death penalty as possible punishment. But a reporter for NY1 said these new initiatives might make a difference.

“It’s part of the U.S. strategy to deal with human rights abuses. And it could result in reduced aid to countries such as Nigeria, where lawmakers have taken steps to criminalize homosexuality.”

But a blogger for The Spectator says, not only does he think Obama will not keep his word, he also doesn’t think the plan to withhold foreign would work anyway. Instead, he says, this is purely a campaign move.

“I think we can all recognize this for what it is … a transparent political outreach to a core Democratic constituency on the home front, gussied up in the guise of global cosmopolitanism.”

And the initiative is facing some moral backlash in the U.S. -- GOP candidate Rick Perry tells The Hill Obama is out of touch with America’s “true” values.

"Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America's interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers' money…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 faiths find so deeply objectionable is wrong."

After the initiative was announced, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a speech calling for LGBT rights reform around the world. The UN will meet in March 2012 to continue the discussion on how to best ensure that the protection of universal human rights includes the LGBT community.