From an HRC press release
WASHINGTON —— Today the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) applauded the appointment of Randy W. Berry, a veteran senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer, as the State Department's first ever LGBT Human Rights Envoy. HRC praised President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for creating this new senior-level position to oversee the United States government's efforts to support the human rights of LGBT people around the world.
"At a moment when many LGBT people around the world are facing persecution and daily violence, this unprecedented appointment shows a historic commitment to the principle that LGBT rights are human rights," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "President Obama and Secretary Kerry have shown tremendous leadership in championing the rights of LGBT people abroad. Now, working closely with this new envoy, we've got to work harder than ever to create new allies, push back on human rights violators, and support the brave leaders and organizations that fight for LGBT rights around the world."
Last August, Griffin sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging him to take this important step for global equality. Griffin also joined a coalition letter led by American Jewish World Services in sending a similar message. This effort was bolstered by more than 26,000 HRC members who contacted Secretary Kerry's office urging him to create the position. This year, HRC worked closely with the offices of Senator Ed Markey ( D-MA ) and Representative Alan Lowenthal ( D-CA ) to introduce the International Human Rights Defense Act ( S.302 / H.R. 590 ) which would create the position through legislative action.
"This new appointment sends a message that the United States will remain on the forefront of protecting the human rights of LGBT people around the world," said Griffin. "Nations that place LGBT people in the cross hairs of danger must know that the United States will not turn a blind eye."
Berry's career with the State Department has taken him to postings in Bangladesh, Egypt, Uganda ( twice ), and South Africa, as well as Washington DC. Mr. Berry holds a State Department Superior Honor Award, and is a nine-time Meritorious Honor Award recipient.
The situation for LGBT people around the world varies widely, as some countries embrace equality, while in others, LGBT people continue to suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence.
-Same-sex conduct is criminalized in 76 countries
-In 10 countries same-sex conduct is punishable by death
-So-called anti-LGBT "propaganda" laws inhibit LGBT advocacy in three countries
-Same-sex marriage licenses are issued nationwide in 20 countries
-In 2014 there were over 200 documented reports of transgender people murdered in 28 countries. There continues to be countless undocumented cases of violence against transgender people throughout the world.
From Jessica Stern, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission:
"The appointment of Randy Berry as a special diplomatic envoy brings to a pinnacle the historic trend, first put in motion by the 2011 Presidential Memorandum, of integrating the rights of LGBT people into U.S. foreign policy. Having long advocated for this step forward, we at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission celebrate its arrival and congratulate Mr. Berry on his new role.
The U.S. envoy can contribute to a new era in which the conscience of governments everywhere can be focused on the destabilizing impact of prejudice and abuse that inflicts suffering on millions worldwide. Human rights should be a priority for every government in both domestic and foreign policy.
Currently, the governments of the world are seized with the development of the forthcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which, in follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals, will be a global framework for addressing progress toward human development from 2015 to 2030. The goal of the Sustainable Development Goals must be to leave no one behind —- not LGBTI people, people who are gender non-conforming, the old, the young — or anyone.
Considering that this process will unfold over 2015, we hope that Mr. Berry's first steps will be to encourage policies and practices that advance economic inclusion without discrimination.
Without access to adequate housing, healthcare, employment and education, many LGBTI people remain uniquely vulnerable and disenfranchised. This is an area where the U.S. government can have positive influence in its dealings with governments and through trade conversations with American companies operating internationally.
The Special Envoy should immediately convene U.S. government agencies and stakeholders such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Trade Representative to examine how American economic and development programs can better serve the needs of LGBTI people worldwide. Non-discriminatory treatment not only serves to ensure that LGBTI people are treated equally before the law but also makes good business sense to any nation concerned with eliminating poverty through economic development."
From American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
WASHINGTON, DC — American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, applauds U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for making history by appointing veteran diplomat Randy Berry as the first Special Envoy for the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons In this newly created role, Berry will lead efforts by the U.S. government to defend the rights of LGBT people worldwide.
"By appointing a highly experienced diplomat as our country's first Special Envoy for the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons, President Obama and Secretary Kerry have made history and sent a clear message that the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people worldwide are a priority of the United States government," said Ruth Messinger, president of AJWS. "As Jews whose ancestors were the targets of genocidal hate just 70 years ago, we understand that the U.S. Government must do all it can to uphold the rights of the people who are the objects of prejudice and hate."
"Envoy Berry will ensure that the United States defends the rights of LGBT people. His experience in countries where LGBT people are persecuted, including Uganda, equip him to succeed in this new and important role. This appointment comes at a time when we are witnessing a disturbing increase in threats against the rights and lives of LGBT people. State-sanctioned discrimination and violence against LGBT people in Nigeria, India, Uganda and many other countries is intolerable, and we cannot stand idly by while LGBT people are targeted for punishment. We heartily commend Secretary Kerry and the Obama administration for deploying the power of the United States to promote the human rights of LGBT people around the world," added Messinger.
Berry, a veteran diplomat with the U.S. State Department, was previously the consul general to the Netherlands and has overseen the United States' consulates in the Netherlands since 2012. Before that he was stationed in New Zealand and Nepal, and has also served in Uganda and Egypt, both of which have recently launched anti-LGBT efforts.
AJWS is hopeful that Envoy Berry will focus on the following three urgent tasks:
Creating a comprehensive, systematized process for the U.S. government to respond to another country's enactment of policies that violate the human rights of LGBT people, as well as coordinating diplomatic efforts to prevent such policies in the first place.
Implementing a "Do No Harm" standard for U.S. programming by requiring policies that include LGBT people and forbid discrimination against them by U.S. government contractors, sub-contractors, grantees and sub-grantees worldwide.
Supporting a United Nations resolution requiring the U.N. Secretary General to produce a thorough study on violence directed at vulnerable communities on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
This action by the Obama administration meets one of the primary goals of the International Human Rights Defense Act (S. 302 / H.R. 590), which calls for the appointment of such an envoy and which was recently reintroduced in the Senate by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and in the House by Representatives by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA). AJWS has been working in support of the legislation.
In more than 75 countries, having same-sex relations is illegal, and in several of those countries LGBT people can be put to death. Along with the establishment of the envoy position, the International Human Rights Defense Act would direct the State Department to make international LGBT rights a foreign policy priority and would require the State Department to devise a strategy to promote LGBT rights internationally.
AJWS is the fourth largest funder of LGBT rights worldwide (according to Funders for LGBTQ Issues). Since 2005, AJWS has invested nearly $9.5 million in global LGBT rights. Last year, AJWS provided $2.97 million to support the critical work of 47 organizations promoting the rights of LGBT people in 14 countries. With this support, AJWS's grantees are supporting LGBT people to come out, speak out, collaborate and pursue recognition, inclusion, security and equality. AJWS also mobilizes supporters in the U.S. to advocate for laws and policies that advance the rights of LGBT people in the developing world.
