Washington (December 10, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today reintroduced the International Human Rights Defense Act, legislation that would direct the State Department to monitor and respond to violence against LGBTQ+ people worldwide, while creating a comprehensive plan to combat discrimination, criminalization, and hate-motivated attacks against LGBTQ+ communities. The International Human Rights Defense Act would also formally establish a Special Envoy to coordinate LGBTQ+ policies across the State Department; a role that has been left vacant under the Trump administration. Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives on November 17, 2025.
“Today, on International Human Rights Day, we must recommit the United States to the defense of human rights and the promotion of equality and justice around the world,” said Senator Markey. “It is as important as ever that we stand up and protect LGBTQ+ individuals from the Trump administration’s cruel attempts to further marginalize this community. I am proud to reintroduce the International Human Rights Defense Act and I am proud to continue to fight alongside LGBTQ+ individuals for a world that recognizes that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.”
“This International Human Rights Day, we are proud to stand, unequivocally, with LGBTQI+ people around the world in support of freedom, dignity, and human rights for all,” said Mark Bromley, Co-Chair of the Council for Global Equality. “At a time when LGBTQI+ people around the world are facing backlash simply for who they are or whom they love, the Trump administration is fanning the flames of authoritarianism. The Department of State has deleted reporting on the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons - despite bipartisan reporting dating back three decades - and sought to undercut universal human rights on the world stage. TheInternational Human Rights Defense Act is a clear rebuke of this attempt to erase our lives. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Markey and his unwavering commitment to equality around the world.”
The International Human Rights Defense Act is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Senator Markey is a champion of LGBTQ+ rights. This past June, during Pride Month, Senator Markey announced the introduction of the Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality (GLOBE) Act, legislation that would reaffirm U.S. leadership in advancing the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. Senator Markey previously introduced the GLOBE Act in 2023. Also in June, Senator Markey co-sponsored the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act that would push back against the Trump administration’s attempts to target the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide.
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