Baldwin Lauds LGBT Provisions In Foreign Relations Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today lauded House passage (235-187) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410), legislation that helps implement President Obama's foreign policy vision. With emphasis on diplomacy and development, this bill will enable us to help prevent conflicts before they start, restore America's image in the international community, and rebuild relations with our friends and allies around the world.

Baldwin worked closely with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) to address LGBT human rights concerns in the bill and praised his leadership. "Thanks to Chairman Berman, I'm very proud to see provisions that help strengthen the State Department's response to serious human rights abuses directed against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals worldwide," Baldwin said.

In addition to authorizing $18 billion in fiscal year 2010 for State Department and other foreign relations programs, the bill instructs the State Department to:

Create one or more positions within the Human Rights Bureau to monitor international LGBT concerns;

Work through U.S. embassies to encourage countries to repeal or reform laws that criminalize homosexuality or consensual homosexual conduct or that otherwise restrict fundamental human rights;

Improve human rights reporting on LGBT issues, with a new requirement to include transgender concerns; and

Include LGBT issues in human rights training courses for Foreign Service Officers.

"Today, I proudly voted in support of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410) because it will help restore America's strength and standing in the world community. Given the frequency and scope of human rights abuses and discrimination affecting LGBT individuals and communities in many parts of the world—as documented by the State Department itself—there needs to be more sustained attention to these abuses. I am very pleased that the Foreign Relations Authorization Act included provisions to encourage more consistency in reporting and an improved response to international LGBT concerns by our U.S. State Department," Baldwin said.

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