In the USA right now, LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack. With this in mind, Representative Robert Garcia and Senator Ed Markey have reintroduced a vital piece of legislation. It is called the International Human Rights Defence Act or IHRDA. This bill directs the State Department to defend LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
The legislation requires that the department establish a Special Envoy. This role would be responsible for creating a global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ people internationally. It is a necessary move when you look at the statistics. The bill notes that 64 countries currently criminalise same-sex relations. Even more alarming is that 12 countries have jurisdictions where the death penalty is a possibility for private and consensual same-sex acts.
Robert Garcia emphasised why this matters so much right now. He pointed to domestic struggles as proof that progress is fragile.
“The fact that same-sex marriage was challenged here in the United States shows that equality is never something we can take for granted,” Garcia said in a statement.
This is not the first time lawmakers have tried to get this passed. In fact, this marks at least the fourth introduction of the bill. Senator Markey previously introduced it in 2014, 2019, and 2023. The urgency has only grown in recent months. According to the Washington Blade, the global LGBTQIA+ and intersex rights movement has lost more than $50 million. This loss occurred after the current administration froze most foreign aid funding.
We have also seen disturbing trends in official reporting. In August, the State Department released an annual report on human rights that was heavily edited. It completely omitted mentions of LGBTQIA+ rights violations. This year’s report was initially prepared under the former Biden administration but was delayed. This delay allowed the department to remove references to human rights violations that were not explicitly required by statute.
The Oversight Committee’s subpoena of the Epstein files requires the DOJ to turn over documents—regardless of any federal investigations.
Even if Pam Bondi tries to slow down the bill passed by Congress, she CAN’T do the same on our subpoena.
Jessica Stern, the former special US envoy for the promotion of LGBTQIA+ and intersex rights, did not mince words. She spoke on a conference call about the edited report. Stern and her colleagues expected the report to be bad, but they admitted they were shocked by the final release.
“It is deliberate erasure,” Stern stated.
A call for leadership and dignity.
The current administration has yet to name a replacement for Stern. This leaves a gap in leadership at a time when it is needed most. Representative Garcia believes this bill is the answer to re-establishing that leadership.
“This bill will stand up for LGBTQ+ communities at home and abroad, and show the world that our nation can be a leader when it comes to protecting dignity and human rights once again,” Garcia said.
Senator Markey echoed this sentiment. He affirmed his commitment to fighting for a world that recognises our rights as human rights. We know that the fight is far from over. However, legislation like the IHRDA offers a glimmer of hope that dignity and equality can still be prioritised on the global agenda.
