Shaheen Helps Reintroduce Legislation to Reassert U.S. Global Leadership in LGBTQI+ Rights Protection
**Legislation comes amid Pride Month & would build on Biden administration efforts to embed LGBTQI+ protections throughout U.S. foreign policy, establish a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, in reintroducing the Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality (GLOBE) Act. The legislation would establish equality and justice as key components of U.S. foreign policy; affirm that discrimination, hatred and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals will not be tolerated by the United States, and assert that the United States government will treat LGBTQI+ rights as human rights throughout its foreign policy, development assistance and immigration programs. The bill would also establish a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI Persons at the State Department.
“As the U.S. restores its role as the global leader in promoting human rights, LGBTQI+ rights must be a top priority. We must double down on our commitment to protect the right for people to love freely and express their truest gender identity – regardless of where they live in the world,” said Shaheen. “I’m encouraged by the Biden administration’s efforts to ensure LGBTQI+ rights are integrated within our foreign policy goals, and I look forward to working with them to ensure this bill’s passage to establish a dedicated Special Envoy. We must not back down on our push for equality and justice on the global stage.”
Specifically, the GLOBE Act:
- Codifies the State Department Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI Persons in law;
- Requires the State Department to document human rights abuses and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals around the world;
- Restricts entry into the United States for foreign individuals responsible for abuse and murder of LGBTQI+ populations;
- Ensures fair access to asylum and refugee programs for LGBTQI+ individuals;
- Requires engagement with international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank, to protect international LGBTQI+ rights; and
- Protects the rights of U.S. LGBTQI+ citizens serving their countries overseas at diplomatic and consular posts.
The GLOBE Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
