by Rob Cox, Global Editor, Breakingviews at Reuters.

DAVOS (Reuters Breakingviews) - The World Economic Forum, which kicks off this week in Davos, prides itself on tackling some of the knottiest issues facing humanity. But on at least one front – the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people – the assemblage is uncharacteristically shy.

The WEF is addressing the issue in some important ways, to be sure. The 2020 programme is arguably gayer than ever, with at least two official panels, including “LGBTI Rights and the Role of the Private Sector” and “Free to Be (LGBTI)”, which features Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s gay prime minister. And a high-profile award is being given to a transgender artist from China. This is all a step up from the “don’t ask, don’t tell” posture of the past.

But with 70 countries still persecuting same-sex relations, and many WEF corporate sponsors publicly supportive of equality, arguably more can be done. At some point, it will become too difficult to balance the desires of the more liberal corporate constituents who ultimately finance the forum without offending, or openly confronting, the leaders of nations whose policies violate the rights of millions. Read more via Reuters