By: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

WASHINGTON, D.C — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the most important Foreign policy position, secretary of state, on Wednesday refused to say whether “gay rights are human rights.”

“American values don’t accommodate violence or discrimination against anyone,” said former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson in response to a question U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) asked during his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Sen. Coons went on to ask Tillerson whether he believes the promotion of gay rights is “a piece of our human rights advocacy and agenda around the world.” asked Coons. “That’s part of that American values that we protect,” responsded Tillerson. The soon to be Secretary of State refused to specifically spotlight LGBTQ people.

We shall have to wait and see how Tillerson shaps the State Department as it has been holding a strong policy of promoting LGBT and intersex rights abroad for the past 4 years. It has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during President Obama’s second term in office.

Tillerson on Wednesday did not say whether the Trump administration would continue the Obama administration’s Foreign policy on pro-LGBTQ rights abroad. What is also concerning to many is that fact of whether or not the position of special U.S. envoy for the promotion of LGBT and intersex rights which is currently held by Randy W. Berry at the State Department, will remain  active or shelved.

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