On May 17, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. This annual event serves as a moment to reflect on the violence and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals face globally and reasserts a commitment to counter these injustices.
"LGBTQI+ persons deserve recognition of their universal human rights and human dignity," Blinken stated unequivocally. Despite progress towards equality in many countries, he noted that LGBTQI+ individuals continue to endure severe forms of stigma and discrimination. These include being sentenced to death for expressing their sexual orientation or gender identity, subjected to coercive conversion "therapies" and "normalization" surgeries, discriminated against while receiving health services, restricted from exercising fundamental freedoms, and denied the dignity of same-sex partnership and family fulfillment.
The Secretary emphasized that this day is not just about reflection but also action. He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to standing with LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide every day. Advocacy for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons is not only a moral imperative but also contributes to strengthening democracy, bolstering national security, and promoting global health and economic development.
