Presidential Memorandum: International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons Dec. 6, 2011 Combating Criminalization of LGBT Status or Conduct Abroad Protecting Vulnerable LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers Foreign Assistance to Protect Human Rights and Advance Nondiscrimination Swift and Meaningful U.S. Responses to Human Rights Abuses of LGBT Persons Abroad. Engaging International Organizations in the Fight Against LGBT Discrimination Reporting on progress (through the State Department)
State Department Bureaus and Activities Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Consular Affairs (CA): Passports, Visas, Travel Warnings, Assisting U.S. Citizens Abroad Human Resources (HR): Benefits/entitlements for LGBTI employees International Organizations (IO) International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
Founded in 1992 to advocate for LGBTI employees in foreign affairs agencies Held first meeting with Secretary of State in 2003 (Colin Powell) Secretary Clinton extended benefits and protections to LGBTI employees and families in 2009 Secretary Clinton added gender identity to non-discrimination/ EEO policy in 2010, at urging of GLIFAA For more information, see http://www.glifaa.org
TRAVEL.STATE.GOV Maintained by Bureau of Consular Affairs LGBTI travel information page (just search for “LGBT”) A travel warning is issued for long-term threats (war, ethnic tensions, terrorist activity), a travel alert for short term (e.g., for hurricane) Each country information sheet has LGBT information (under Local Laws and Special Circumstances) Gender reassignment on U.S. passports Read our Human Rights Reports!