The President has called on the United Nations Human RIghts Council to help end discrimination and violence against gays and lesbians around the world, putting the Administration in a lead role on an issue which has been used to divide at home in recent years.

In a statement, Press Secretary Jay Carney affirmed the President’s belief in “advancing the human rights of minorities and the marginalized.” He announced a new position, a special rapporteur on LGBT issues, at the Organization of American States, and announced a coalition of 85 countries at the Human Rights Council committed to ending acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This is from the LA Times report from Geneva:

“Human rights are the inalienable right of every person, no matter who they are or who they love,” Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. ambassador to the council in Geneva, said in a statement. “The U.S. government is firmly committed to supporting the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals to lead productive and dignified lives, free from fear and violence.”

The council has condemned human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity, including rape, torture and murder.

“It is a really pressing issue globally that there continue to be killings on the basis of sexual orientation and persecution on that basis,” said Suzanne Nossel, deputy assistant secretary of State for international organization affairs. “I think this will stimulate dialogue and increase recognition of the importance of the issue among governments.”

In the past several months, the Obama Administration has secured the passage of a legislative repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and is shepherding the full repeal through the armed services. They also have declined to defend DOMA in federal court, agreeing that the law violates the Constitution. Now there’s this global action, which could make it more difficult for some governments to allow the abuse and murder of at-risk members of the LGBT community in their own countries.

This leadership role came late for many LGBT advocates, and not until a series of high-profile protests by activists who accused the White House of foot-dragging. But the White House has made efforts late in the game to take a positive posture. With gay marriage suddenly a majority issue and even people of faith accepting equality and human rights for the LGBT community, the inchoate fear from political leaders on this issue may have dissipated.