Washington (March 28, 2023) – Ahead of the
second international Summit for Democracy co-hosted
by the United States, and as LGBTQI+ people experience growing assaults on
their safety and freedom both domestically and internationally, Senator Edward
J. Markey (D-Mass.) today reintroduced the International Human Rights
Defense Act alongside Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) to affirm
the U.S.’s role in protecting and promoting LGBTQI+ rights. The legislation
would make permanent the office of the Special Envoy for the Human Rights of
LGBTQI+ Persons, which President Biden established early in his term, as well
as ensure that future administrations continue to uphold LGBTQI+ rights on the
world stage by directing the State Department to document and respond to
bias-motivated violence against LGBTQI+ people abroad and implement a
comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization,
discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people. A reported 69 countries
have enacted laws that criminalize homosexuality, underscoring the need for
U.S. leadership to address growing threats faced by LGBTQI+ communities. In the
United States, states legislators have introduced over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills
that make it easier to discriminate and interfere with access to health care,
educational opportunities, and more.
“LGBTQI+ rights are human rights, and human rights are the foundation of a
strong and healthy democracy. If the United States is to effectively bring
world leaders together around a shared, global commitment to upholding LGBTQI+
rights at this year’s Summit for Democracy, we must also reaffirm our own
resolve to ensuring that all people—regardless of gender or sexual
orientation—are protected at home,” said Senator Markey. “We
have an urgent moral obligation to safeguard the freedom and fundamental rights
of LGBTQI+ people, whether they live in our own neighborhoods or in communities
around the world, and ensure the U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to
upholding all rights of all people.”
“As the first gay immigrant in Congress, I know firsthand how important it is
to uphold basic human rights for our LGBTQI+ community. As nations gather for
the Summit for Democracy it is imperative that we make clear that a
healthy democracy is one that respects and protects the rights of all its
citizens regardless of their identity. I look forward to continuing to ensure
that our country and our allies are upholding human rights for all.” said
Representative Garcia.
“The rise of anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence isn’t just happening in the
United States, it’s happening all around the world,” said Representative
Jacobs, Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “That’s why we
need to make it clear that the United States doesn’t
tolerate this hatred and discrimination. Our bicameral legislation takes a
clear position declaring that we are in solidarity with the
LGBTQI+ community in the United States and around the world and that we’ll
continue to push for human rights, equality, and justice for all people – no
matter who they are or who they love.”
“Tragically, the rights of LGBTQI+ persons continue to be at grave risk around
the world. We must respond with concrete support to ensure that the rights of
all people are respected,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman Menendez. “The International Human Rights Defense Act will
bolster the State Department’s ability to support LGBTQI+ persons globally and
marks an important step forward in advancing equality for all.”
“As countries gather for the Democracy Summit, we must recommit to ensuring
that every member of the LGBTQI+ community across the world is treated with the
acceptance, dignity and respect they deserve,” said Senator
Whitehouse. “Our legislation makes clear the United States' position
on equality and protection of human rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity and encourages other countries to promote the same equality across the
globe.”
“The Summit for Democracy is important forum to meet with our democratic
partners, discuss a range of global challenges, and promote democracy and human
rights, including for LGBTQ+ individuals,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m
proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues to reaffirm our commitment to
protecting LGBTQ+ rights around the world.”
Cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne
Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Ill.),
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Carper (D-Del.),
Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tim
Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Peter Welch
(D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Bernie Sanders
(I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar
(D-Minn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
The International Human Rights Defense Act is endorsed by
the Council for Global Equality and the Human Rights Campaign.
"The data is clear: democracies are only as strong as their most
vulnerable communities are protected,” said Beirne Roose-Snyder,
Senior Policy Fellow at the Council for Global Equality. “Our
research shows an unmistakable correlation between the lived experiences and
legislative realities of LGBTQI+ people worldwide on the one hand and the
health and resilience of democratic institutions on the other. When we invest
in LGBTQI+ communities, we are defending democracy for all. This bill expands
U.S. support for democracy overseas by providing the policies and
infrastructure to strengthen LGBTQI+ leadership and defend human rights."
“The State Department’s Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples
has been essential in advancing the work of protecting LGBTQI+ people all over
the world,” said David Stacy, Government Affairs Director at
the Human Rights Campaign. “At a time when LGBTQI+ people are
facing violence, persecution and even outright bans on existence in some
countries, the position of the Special Envoy is indispensable to combat these
trends on the international stage. The International Human Rights
Defense Act, which would ensure that LGBTQI+ rights are a cornerstone of
U.S. foreign policy and make this position a permanent part of the State
Department, would signal to the world that the U.S. has an ongoing commitment
to working on these issues, even as administrations come and go. We thank Senator
Markey and Representatives Garcia and Jacobs for introducing this very
important piece of legislation.”
During National Pride Month in 2014, as-then chairman of the Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Senator
Markey first
introduced the International Human Rights Defense Act to
affirm the U.S. government’s commitment to globally protecting LBTQI+ rights.
In February 2015, a week after Senator Markey introduced the legislation,
then-Secretary of State John Kerry heeded the
call to appoint a LGBTQI+ special envoy. However, that position was left open
during the Trump Administration, despite then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s
promise to fill it. In June 2021, Senator Markey applauded the
Biden Administration for delivering on its commitment by appointing OutRight
Action International Executive Director Jessica Stern as the State Department
Special Envoy.
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