Tag: nondiscrimination

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Biden Issues Memo Aimed At Protecting LGBTQ Rights Abroad

President Biden has issued a proclamation recognizing June 2024 as LGBTQ Pride Month.

President Biden issued a presidential memorandum aimed at promoting and protecting LGBTQ rights abroad.
President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden issued a presidential memorandum on Thursday aimed at promoting and protecting LGBTQ rights abroad. From the White House, the memorandum reads, in part:

“All human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love. Around the globe, including here at home, brave lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) activists are fighting for equal protection under the law, freedom from violence, and recognition of their fundamental human rights.

“The United States belongs at the forefront of this struggle — speaking out and standing strong for our most dearly held values. It shall be the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and to lead by the power of our example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world.

“Through this memorandum, I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.”

The memorandum goes on to list specific actions to be taken abroad: 1. Combating Criminalization of LGBTQI+ Status or Conduct Abroad. 2. Protecting Vulnerable LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers. 3. Foreign Assistance to Protect Human Rights and Advance Nondiscrimination. 4. Swift and Meaningful United States Responses to Human Rights Abuses of LGBTQI+ Persons Abroad. 5. Building Coalitions of Like-Minded Nations and Engaging International Organizations in the Fight Against LGBTQI+ Discrimination. 6. Rescinding Inconsistent Policies and Reporting on Progress. During the presidential campaign, Biden made promoting and protecting LGBTQ rights abroad a key issue in his LGBTQ platform. Read the full memorandum at WhiteHouse.gov.