Clinton unveils Walt Whitman statue in Moscow

Secretary Clinton unveiled a statue of 19th-century American poet Walt Whitman at Moscow State University today. The statue — from the D.C. mayor — reciprocated a statue of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin that was presented to the U.S. capital from the Moscow mayor in 2000. The Pushkin statue stands on the campus of George Washington University, at 22nd and H streets NW.

Many people think Whitman was gay, and Russian gay-rights activists had called on Clinton to denounce anti-gay attitudes. Clinton did not mention gay rights in her brief remarks at the unveiling, but she has definitely done much to promote human rights and openness during her visit to Russia.

Photo: Valeriy Yevseyev, U.S. State Department