In a move that defied anti-gay marriage countries everywhere, the U.N. budget committee has approved a plan to give benefits to spouses of legally married gay U.N. employees. 

Russia sponsored a resolution that called for the plan to be abandoned. In the end, 80 countries opposed Russia's resolution while 43 countries supported it (37 abstained). 

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been a consistent supporter of gay rights, and this is a nice victory over many countries who oppose such rights.