PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S654-655)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 29, 2015
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2015
Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall:
direct U.S. government efforts regarding the human rights of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender);
represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBT people, including discrimination and violence against LGBT people;
serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding human rights for LGBT people; and
implement activities regarding support, education, resettlement, and empowerment of LGBT people.
Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for five years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.
Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide assistance to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.
People & committees
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D–MA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S654-655)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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