Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted for H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act, to deny entry into the U.S. to foreign individuals found responsible for human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and all other gender variant (LGBTQI+) individuals.  The bill passed the House with bipartisan support, 227-206. 

“Today, I was proud to demonstrate our community's and our country's commitment to LGBTQI+ rights and dignity around the world by casting my vote for the Global Respect Act, sanctioning states and individuals who violate the human rights of LGBTQI+ people,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The dignity, freedom, and equality of all people are fundamental to a thriving global community.”

The Global Respect Act includes several key provisions to protect the LGBTQI+ community:

• Sanctions on individuals: Invalidates a person from receiving a visa and revokes current visas from individuals responsible for violations of human rights against LGBTQI+ persons; 

• Violence tracking: Requires the Department of State to track violence, criminalization, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in foreign countries based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics; and

• Annual country reports: Adds a requirement that Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices from the Department of State include information relating to violence or discrimination that affects fundamental freedoms, including widespread or systematic violation of freedoms of expression, association, or assembly of individuals in foreign countries that is based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.