Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey and
California Rep. Alan Lowenthal on Thursday introduced bicameral
legislation which seeks to promote LGBT rights worldwide.
The International Human Rights Defense
Act, first introduced by Markey last year, would direct the State
Department to make preventing discrimination against the LGBT
community a foreign policy priority. A special envoy would be
appointed to coordinate such efforts.
“When President Obama addressed the
nation and committed to defending the human rights of the LGBT
community, we made that commitment to the world,” Markey said in a
statement. “With the rights of the LGBT community under attack
around the globe, we must stand hand-in-hand with them in the
struggle for recognition and equality everywhere. It is vital to
have a dedicated position in the State Department spearheading that
effort. The International Human Rights Defense Act will promote a
coordinated effort across the federal government to support our
position as a model for defending LGBT and human rights around the
world.”
Lowenthal added: “We must do what we
can as a nation to enforce the precept that all human beings,
regardless of where they live, are entitled to a basic set of human
rights which include the right to love who they choose without fear
of punishment or death. LGBT rights are human rights.”
In more than 80 nations around the
world gay sex is a crime, public support for LGBT rights is
prohibited or homophobia is sanctioned by the government.
Homosexuality is punishable by death in seven countries, according to
the statement.