US Bill Seeks to Affirm US Committment to International LBGTI Rights

Senator Edward Markey and Congressman Alan Lowenthal introduced the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2018 in both the house and the senate.  The legislators seek to make the human rights commitment to LGTI rights a priority nationally and internationally.

The legislation would direct the State Department to continue its efforts in defending the human rights of LGBTI individuals globally.  The bill would, among other terms, would require the State Department to develop a plan to address global discrimination against members of the LGBTI community.  In addition, State would be required to create a position "Special Envoy on the Human Rights of LGBTI individuals.

The bill is co-sponsored by numerous legislators and is supported by Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights First, Council for Global Equality, American Jewish World Service, National Center for Transgender  Equality, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the American Psychological Association. 

For more information about the bill, see here.