Congressman Robert Garcia and Senator Ed Markey Reintroduce International Human Rights Defense Act Following Supreme Court’s Rejection of Challenge to Gay Marriage
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) reintroduced the International Human Rights Defense Act (IHRDA) following the Supreme Court’s rejection of a challenge to the constitutional right to same-sex marriage. This bill would direct the State Department to monitor and respond to violence against LGBTQ+ people worldwide, while creating a comprehensive plan to combat discrimination, criminalization, and hate-motivated attacks against LGBTQ+ communities. The bill would also formally establish a Special Envoy to coordinate LGBTQ+ policies across the State Department; a role that has been vacant under the Trump Administration. Full text of the bill can be found here.
“The fact that same-sex marriage was challenged here in the United States shows that equality is never something we can take for granted,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “LGBTQ+ people here at home and around the world continue to face escalating violence, discrimination, and rollbacks of their rights, and we must act now. 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.”
“We must recommit the United States to the defense of human rights and the promotion of equality and justice around the world,” said Senator Ed Markey. “It is as important as ever that we stand up and protect LGBTQ+ individuals from the Trump administration’s cruel attempts to further marginalize this community. I will continue to fight alongside LGBTQ+ individuals for a world that recognizes that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.”
This bill has been endorsed by Human Rights Campaign, Rainbow Railroad, American Jewish World Service, Amnesty International USA, CenterLink, Equality California, Fenway Health, Foreign Policy for America, FORGE, Inc., Health GAP, Human Rights First, Immigration Equality Action Fund, International Institute on Race, Equality, and Human Rights, Lambda Legal, LGBT Tech, Movement Advancement Project, National Council of Jewish Women, Oasis Legal Services, ORAM - Organization for Refuge, Asylum, and Migration, Outright International, PFLAG National, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and The Cancer Network.
As the first gay immigrant in Congress, Congressmember Garcia has always fought to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Earlier this year, Congressman Garcia demanded answers from the Trump Administration on its deportation of Andry Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist sent to a prison in El Salvador under false claims of affiliation with a criminal gang. Last year, Congressman Garcia took action to address federal officials by asking them to help protect LGBTQ+ people from violence during Pride month in response to threats from anti-Pride extremists. Last Congress, Congressman Garcia demanded that the Pentagon resolve cases of LGBTQ+ people dishonorably expelled from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Congressman Garcia introduced the International Human Rights Defense Act as his inaugural bill in the 118th Congress to enshrine global protections for LGBTQ+ people in US law and foreign policy and reaffirm the U.S.’s role in protecting and promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
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