Leading International Human Rights Group Supports Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality Act of 2018 in Congress

American Jewish World Service Says Proposed Legislation “Sets the Gold Standard”

In response to the introduction of the Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality Act of 2018 (GLOBE Act), AJWS Director of Government Affairs Rori Kramer released this statement:

“This bill sets the gold standard for America’s return to global leadership on human rights, including the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community.

In the face of the Trump Administration’s hostility towards LGBTI rights, the bill repeals harmful policies and creates new standards in human rights promotion. With its broad scope, the bill touches all elements of U.S. foreign policy that can be leveraged to promote global equality, including global health programs, foreign assistance, refugee and asylum claims, and leadership in international organizations.

Specifically, the GLOBE Act:

• repeals the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy, also known as the “Global Gag Rule,” which prohibits global health funding for foreign NGOs that provide or advocate for abortion access, even with their own, independently raised, resources.
• expedites asylum claims for those fleeing violence on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or sex characteristics.
• supports some of the core foreign assistance tools that U.S. government uses to support LGBTI human rights groups abroad, including the Global Equality Fund.
• repeals the anti-prostitution loyalty oath, which restricts U.S. HIV funding to service providers abroad that advocate for the decriminalization of sex work.
• ensures that all providers of U.S. funded global health assistance take a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention, including best practices in condom usage, comprehensive sexuality education, and non-discriminatory service delivery.

This month, as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, we applaud Congresswoman Titus and her colleagues’ brave work demanding a return to a U.S. foreign policy agenda that respects the dignity of vulnerable people at home and abroad.”

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About American Jewish World Service (AJWS)

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to pursue justice and fight poverty in the developing world. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 19 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time—from disasters, genocide and hunger to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all. Learn more at www.ajws.org.

AJWS funds LGBTI human rights groups in 9 countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa, and mobilizes the American Jewish community to advocate for U.S. policies that support human rights abroad.