Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Around the World

by Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs

THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

1000 DEFENSE PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20301 - 1000

MAR 12 2021

MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS

SUBJECT: Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World

⁠ On February 4, 2021 , the President issued a memorandum (TAB A) directing all U.S.cdepartments and agencies that engage abroad or are involved in foreign aid, assistance, and development programs to undertake a number of actions related to promoting and protecting the human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons. The DoD is defined in the Presidential Memorandum as both an agency engaged abroad and an agency involved in foreign aid, assistance, and development programs.

⁠ In accordance with the Presidential Memorandum, it is the policy of the DoD to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and DoD will lead by example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world. To effect this policy and as directed in the Presidential Memorandum, as consistent with applicable law and within their responsibilities, DoD Components shall:

• Strengthen existing efforts to combat the criminalization by foreign governments of LGBTQI+ status or conduct and expand efforts to combat discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and intolerance on the basis of LGBTQI+ status or conduct.
• Expand ongoing efforts to ensure regular DoD engagement with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector to promote respect for the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons and combat discrimination.
• Consider the impact of programs funded by DoD on human rights, including the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, when making funding decisions.
• Strengthen the work DoD has done and initiate additional efforts with other nations, bilaterally and within multilateral fora and international organizations, to: counter discrimination on the basis of LGBTQI+ status or conduct; broaden the number of countries willing to support and defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons; strengthen the role, including in multilateral fora, of civil society advocates on behalf of the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons; and strengthen the policies and programming of multilateral institutions, including with respect to protecting vulnerable LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers.

⁠By April 15, 2021, all DoD Components shall: (1) review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take steps to rescind any directives, orders, regulations, policies, or guidance inconsistent with the President's Memorandum and (2) shall review and report on the progress of implementation of the President's Memorandum and recommend additional opportunities and actions to advance the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy will provide further guidance to support the above requirements.

Attachment:
As stated