# What the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 Actually Does

This bill creates a permanent position in the U.S. State Department called the Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples. Think of it as appointing a dedicated diplomat whose entire job is to focus on protecting LGBTQI+ people from persecution, violence, and discrimination around the world. The President would appoint this person, and they could potentially be given the rank of ambassador. This envoy would work within the State Department's human rights bureau and report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

The bill lays out a broad policy direction for how the U.S. government should approach LGBTQI+ rights internationally. It commits the government to systematically work against laws that criminalize same-sex relationships, combat violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ people, support local organizations fighting for these rights, and train foreign police and military forces on how to protect rather than persecute LGBTQI+ individuals. The bill also says the U.S. should work to end practices like forced anal exams used to "prove" someone is gay, and to stop so-called conversion therapy programs that try to change sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, it directs the government to ensure that LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution have a fair opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.

On a practical level, the bill requires the State Department to develop a comprehensive global strategy every year for addressing LGBTQI+ persecution and to report to Congress on progress. It also mandates that annual human rights reports about every country include specific information about laws criminalizing LGBTQI+ people and documented violence against them. The bill authorizes funding for various programs, including support for LGBTQI+ activists and organizations worldwide, legal reforms in foreign countries, and health programs addressing violence and HIV/AIDS in LGBTQI+ communities. For most Americans, this bill doesn't directly change daily life, but it signals a commitment to making LGBTQI+ rights a central part of U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy.

International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023

Garcia, Robert

International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 This bill establishes in the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex) Peoples who shall serve as the principal State Department advisor regarding human rights for LGBTQI+ people and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBTQI+ people. The special envoy shall periodically provide Congress with a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance to prevent and respond to such activities against LGBTQI+ people. The bill also requires that specified annual country reports on human rights practices include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.