Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Human Rights Issues

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Human Rights Issues

Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 16, 2014

People everywhere long for the freedom to determine their destiny; the dignity that comes with work; the comfort that comes with faith; and the justice that exists when governments serve their people -- and not the other way around. The United States of America will always stand up for these aspirations, for our own people and for people all across the world. That was our founding purpose. President Barack Obama, September 25, 2012 There are few areas where I think our task is so clear, and what we need to do is make sure that we are working for that larger freedom for all people, and for the rights and the dignity of LGBT persons around the world. Secretary John Kerry, September 26, 2013

The U.S. Department of State has significantly expanded efforts to promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons over the past year. Through our private engagement with governments and civil society, public diplomacy, foreign assistance, and work in multilateral fora we have conducted activities in the following five areas of focus under the Presidential Memorandum on International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of LGBT Persons. We have also institutionalized these efforts throughout the Department.

Combating Criminalization of LGBT Status or Conduct Abroad

Our Embassies around the world regularly engage with civil society and host governments on laws that criminalize consensual same-sex conduct between adults. We have developed decriminalization strategies in regions where LGBT conduct is criminalized. Even in countries where we do not have a formal decriminalization strategy in place, we are working to support decriminalization efforts and to ensure greater legal protections for LGBT persons. We have also focused on raising awareness of countries that criminalize same-sex conduct through the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and the Bureau of Consular Affairs Country Specific Information (CSI) sheets.

Protecting Vulnerable LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), the Department has focused on identifying protection gaps for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers and developing targeted interventions to address those gaps. Training and Capacity-Building: All new PRM employees are trained on LGBT issues. The Department also funds the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other nongovernmental and international organization partners to develop training materials focused on LGBT refugees and asylum seekers and strengthen institutional capacity to address their unique needs. In one example, PRM supported the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to conduct a regional workshop for LGBT advocacy organizations from six countries on the protection needs of LGBT migrants and asylum seekers.

Programming: PRM has supported nongovernmental partners to conduct research and pilot new programs to support LGBT refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas, and has also provided targeted assistance to partners working to provide safe shelter and services for LGBT survivors of gender-based violence.

Humanitarian Diplomacy: Department leadership is continually engaging, both privately and publicly, on behalf of LGBT refugees and asylum seekers. PRM annually communicates information to all embassies about the U.S. refugee resettlement process, including as it relates to LGBT applicants. Foreign Assistance to Protect Human Rights and Advance Nondiscrimination

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Human Rights Issues