Biden restores US commitment to defending gay, trans rights around the world
- Under Obama, US slashed aid or trading privileges to Uganda and Gambia after they passed laws that authorised imprisonment for homosexuality
- The tough rebukes fuelled a backlash in parts of Africa, whose Nigeria defiantly pushed through its own draconian law
Elevating a 2011 initiative launched by his former boss Barack Obama – and reversing a turnaround under Donald Trump – Biden is expanding the scope of US efforts on LGBTIQ rights while also adjusting based on lessons learned over the past decade.
In his first foreign policy speech, Biden announced on Thursday he was ordering all US government agencies active abroad to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people and to come up with plans within 180 days.
“All human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love,” Biden said in the presidential memorandum.
Biden, who plans a dramatic rise in US admissions of refugees, promised greater attention to LGBTIQ asylum seekers, including by ensuring action on urgent cases even when vulnerable people first flee to countries that are less welcoming.
The memorandum said that the US would also combat discriminatory laws overseas and work to build international coalitions against homophobia and transphobic.