The United States on Monday named Randy
Berry as its first international envoy for LGBT rights.
“Defending and promoting the human
rights of LGBT persons is at the core of our commitment to advancing
human rights globally – the heart and conscience of our diplomacy,”
Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement. “That’s why
we're working to overturn laws that criminalize consensual same-sex
conduct in countries around the world.”
Kerry praised Berry as the “right
American official for this important assignment.”
“He's a motivator. But most
importantly for this effort, he's got vision. Wherever he's served –
from Nepal to New Zealand, from Uganda to Bangladesh, from Egypt to
South Africa, and most recently as Consul General in Amsterdam –
Randy has excelled. He's a voice of clarity and conviction on human
rights. And I'm confident that Randy's leadership as our new Special
Envoy will significantly advance efforts underway to move towards a
world free from violence and discrimination against LGBT persons,”
he said.
The appointment comes just weeks after
Democrats Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Alan Lowenthal
of California introduced legislation which wold create the post
through legislative action.
According to the Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, gay sex is
criminalized in 76 countries, including 10 where it is punishable by
death.
“This new appointment sends a message
that the United States will remain on the forefront of protecting the
human rights of LGBT people around the world,” HRC President Chad
Griffin said. “Nations that place LGBT people in the cross hairs
of danger must know that the United States will not turn a blind
eye.”