LGBTQ+ pledge: US House approves new human rights bill

The US House of Representatives has approved a new bill cracking down on human rights abuses of LGBTQ+ individuals abroad

The government is pledging to impose tougher sanctions on those countries involved in attacks or harassment against members of queer communities.

The bill was approved in a 227-206 vote with support from both sides of the floor.

Co-chair of the House Equality Caucus posted this to Twitter, saying:

The bill sends a “strong message around the world that every member of the LGBTQI community deserves to live with dignity and free from violence…”

A key feature of the new legislation will see visas denied to people who have played a role in human rights abuses against queer people abroad.

The State Department will also play a role in tracking violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in foreign countries.

To date, at least 68 countries have laws criminalising consensual same-sex relations, and many also have policies in place that target queer individuals.