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This bill calls for the creation of a global foreign policy strategy to protect the human rights of people in the LGBTQ community across the globe.

People in the LGBTQ community — Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer — would be appointed a Special Envoy in the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The Special Envoy would be responsible for inter-bureau and inter-agency coordination of the government’s efforts to defend human rights for the LGBT community internationally.

The bill also authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist in the prevention of and response to discrimination and violence against those who identify as LGBTQ.

","official_title":"A bill to establish in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the Department of State a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples.","short_title":"International Human Rights Defense Act of 2015","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"International Human Rights Defense Act of 2015\n\nDirects the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall:\n\n direct U.S. government efforts regarding the human rights of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender); represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBT people, including discrimination and violence against LGBT people; serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding human rights for LGBT people; and implement activities regarding support, education, resettlement, and empowerment of LGBT people. Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for five years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.\n\nAuthorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide assistance to prevent and...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. ","impact":"The LGBT community in the U.S. and abroad. ","argument_for":"The U.S. has voiced a commitment to protect the LGBTQ community's human rights; there needs to be a comprehensive strategy for addressing the discrimination they face overseas. 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Does The U.S. Need A Special Envoy To Protect The International LGBTQ Community?