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The U.S. is standing alone among major Western nations in refusing to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the U.N. calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.

In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration.

The declaration was signed by all 27 European Union members, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries.

Gay rights activists are angered by the U.S. position; Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission calls it "an appalling stance."

Also denouncing the U.S. stance was Richard Grenell, who until two months ago had been the chief spokesman for the U.S. mission to the U.N.

The self-described gay Republican says the U.S. decision "only dims our once bright beacon of hope and freedom for those who are persecuted and oppressed."

The U.S. indicated that some parts of the declaration raised legal questions that needed further review.