# Understanding the GLOBE Act of 2023

The GLOBE Act is a bill designed to make protecting LGBTQI rights a formal part of U.S. foreign policy. Right now, the U.S. government works on these issues, but there's no law requiring it. This bill would change that by making it a legal obligation for American diplomats and aid agencies to actively document and respond to violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people in other countries.

The bill starts by laying out the problem: in about 67 countries worldwide, same-sex relationships are actually illegal. Many countries also criminalize transgender people and restrict their access to medical care. The bill documents that LGBTQI individuals face real dangers—murder, rape, torture, and imprisonment—often with police involvement. It also notes that these laws have economic costs, harm public health efforts like HIV prevention, and create particular dangers for LGBTQI youth who face homelessness and higher suicide rates. The bill argues that the U.S. should use its diplomatic power to push back against these practices.

Here's what the bill would actually require: First, the State Department would have to include detailed information in its annual human rights reports about which countries criminalize LGBTQI people and what violence occurs there. American embassies around the world would need to actively track incidents of violence against LGBTQI people and report back to Washington. Second, the bill creates a new interagency task force—bringing together the State Department, Defense Department, Treasury, and other agencies—to coordinate responses when LGBTQI people face urgent threats abroad. This group could recommend sanctions against foreign officials responsible for abuses. Third, the bill would establish a permanent Special Envoy position (a high-ranking diplomat) dedicated specifically to LGBTQI human rights issues internationally. This person would represent the U.S. in discussions with other countries about these matters and help develop strategies to address discrimination and violence.