Speak out against LGBTQI+ hate worldwide

Around the world, LGBTQI+ communities face violence, discrimination and even jail time or the death penalty simply because of who they are or whom they love. As a community of American Jews and allies, we cannot be silent when anyone faces such hatred and persecution. 

With the Global Respect Act, the United States can send a powerful message to world leaders who violate human rights around the world that LGBTQI+ discrimination and violence will not be tolerated, and that they will be held accountable for their atrocities. The bill would prevent those who violate the human rights of LGBTQI+ people from entry into the U.S., impose sanctions against them and do more to track attacks on LGBTQI+ rights. 

Take a moment to sign AJWS’s open letter urging the Senate to introduce and pass this important bill.

Dear Senators, 

I write today to urge you to support and help introduce the Global Respect Act, and to stand up against LGBTQI+ violence and discrimination around the world. It is against my values that that anyone should face harassment, discrimination, violence, torture, criminalization and murder simply because of who they are or whom they love. Please co-sponsor this bill to stand up for the rights and safety of LGTBQI+ people around the world.    

I support the Global Respect Act because it would:

• Deny or revoke visas for foreign persons responsible for or complicit in violating the human rights of individuals due to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics

• Require the Executive Branch to biannually send Congress a list of foreign persons responsible for, complicit in, or who have incited extrajudicial killing, torture or other gross violations of human rights based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity

• Deny or revoke visas to individuals placed on the list, with waivers for national security or to allow attendance at the United Nations

• Require the State Department to present an annual report to Congress on the status of the law’s effectiveness and

• Require the State Department to assign a staffer responsible for tracking violence, criminalization and rights violations in foreign countries based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and report any findings in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

As one of your constituents, I urge you to support this important bill, and to stand up for the rights and safety of LGTBQI+ people around the world. 

Sincerely,
[Your Name]