Council for Global Equality
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Advancing an American Foreign Policy
Inclusive of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity |
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At the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on February 4, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton both condemned the “Anti-Homosexuality” bill that is currently being debated in parliament in Uganda. President Obama referred to it as an “unconscionable” and “odious” law. And Secretary of State Clinton, noting that the administration is “standing up for gays and lesbians,” emphasized that she recently called Uganda’s President to express her “strongest concerns” about the law being debated in parliament there. Several advocacy groups also came together to organize an “American Prayer Hour” in 17 cities to raise awareness around the Uganda bill and its connection to conservative religious figures in the United States. Find out how to help kill the "Kill the Gays" bill View short video of Obama and Clinton at the National Prayer Breakfast Ugandan and American Human Rights Activists Testify Against proposed Uganda "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" On January 21, 2010 Ugandan and American human rights activists came together to testify against the proposed Uganda “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” at a hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress. The hearing is the latest in a series of actions by the U.S. government to signal its disapproval of the measure under consideration in the Ugandan parliament. Over 90 members of Congress also signed a letter to Ugandan President Museveni condemning the proposed legislation and another letter to President Obama supporting current U.S. efforts in bilateral relations against the bill and requesting continued pressure from the U.S. government. View a short clip of Tammy Baldwin's opening remarks. Read the Press Release and Letter to Pres. Museveni issued by Senators Durbin and Cardin.
The report, “How Ideology Trumped Science: Why PEPFAR has Failed to Meet its Potential,” outlines in detail multiple ways in which conservative ideology has distorted PEPFAR’s reach and impact. These include: inadequate attention to the needs of men who have sex with men; failure to address laws that have impeded outreach to underserved LGBT communities; exclusion of programs targeting commercial sex workers and injecting drug users; and inadequate attention to sex education, particularly the correct usage of condoms. These and other shortfalls detailed in the report have undermined the science-based approach needed to win the fight against HIV and AIDS. The report, which can be found at here, was authored by Scott Evertz, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy during the first term of George W. Bush’s administration. As Michael Guest, Senior Advisor to the Council, observes, “Mr. Evertz’ observations of what went wrong with PEPFAR are first-hand. His specific recommendations to improve the program reflect both an expert’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS problems facing LGBT communities abroad as well as the political shoals on which a science-based approach to HIV/AIDS prevention has foundered.” Visit the Council's blog for more on this study. Click on the video link to view a roundtable discussion on the reports findings
 The Council for Global Equality joins human rights leaders in condemning Ugandan "Anti-Homosexuality" bill The Council for Global Equality joins human rights leaders in condemning the “Anti-Homosexuality” bill that was introduced in the Ugandan parliament in October 2009. The bill is undoubtedly one of the most homophobic pieces of legislation ever conceived. It would increase the penalty for consensual homosexual conduct from 14 years to life in prison. It would also limit the distribution of HIV information through a provision criminalizing the “promotion of homosexuality.” Beyond that, it creates a crime of “aggravated homosexuality,” punishing anyone who is HIV-positive with death for having consensual same-sex relations, even if the relations are informed and safe and regardless of whether the person is even aware of his or her HIV status. That provision alone is contrary to every scientifically-sound public health recommendation for reaching vulnerable HIV-positive communities with the prevention, care and treatment they so desperately deserve. The law also exposes anyone in Uganda, including HIV outreach experts, to a criminal sentence for not reporting to the government within 24-hours on anyone who engages in homosexual activity. The Council has been in contact with senior officials in the State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Kampala and the National Security Council to express concern over the legislation and its potential to undermine our substantial U.S. investment in the country’s HIV/AIDS response. The U.S. Embassy in Uganda has condemned the proposal in clear and forceful terms. A press release from a coalition of domestic and international human rights groups is available here. A copy of the legislation, as tabled in parliament, is available here. In addition, a letter from the U.S. Congress to Secretary of State Clinton expressing grave concern at the human rights implications of the bill and its impact on our global health investment in Uganda is available here, along with the State Department's response.
The Council for Global Equality Welcomes Important Legislative Victory The Council for Global Equality welcomes the important legislative victory this week that expands our country’s federal hate crime statute to allow Justice Department support in prosecuting crimes directed at individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. The bill – long associated with the brutal killing eleven years ago this month of Matthew Shepard – is a milestone on our march toward full equality and a fitting memorial to Matthew and to the many other Americans who have been killed simply for being themselves. It also sends a message on the global stage. Earlier this month, at a human rights conference in Poland, the United States spoke of the need to address violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Eastern Europe and beyond. This new law will provide a powerful example of our country’s own commitment to fighting hate crimes, and it lends additional credibility when the United States speaks out against violence directed at LGBT communities beyond our borders. The Council for Global Equality looks forward to working with the State Department to give international voice to our new domestic resolve.
Washington, DC - October 21, 2009-The Council for Global Equality joined Fair Wisconsin and Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights in awarding Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin the first-ever Global Equality Leadership Award. The Council's first award is being presented jointly by all three organizations on October 20, 2009 in recognition of the Congresswoman's work to promote human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities at the local, national and international levels. Read full press release. Download full resolution image.
The Council for Global Equality released a new report, Anchoring Equality: How U.S. Corporations Can Build Equal and Inclusive Global Workforces, at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the nation’s premier corporate equality conference. The report outlines steps that U.S. corporations can take to protect their LGBT employees and promote fair workplace policies across all of their facilities around the world. In some cases, that requires corporate efforts to change discriminatory local laws that interfere with business. Corporations that promote workplace equality on the global stage do so because it is good for their employees and good for business. They also recognize that America’s foreign policy is not the exclusive purview of the State Department or the U.S. government. The workplace policies of U.S. corporations abroad reflect on American values, influence America’s standing in the world and shape the corporate image of pro-equality companies within the global marketplace. The report was written in collaboration with three members of the Council: Immigration Equality, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and Human Rights Campaign. Read the full report Read Michael Guest's speech from Out & Equal's Human Resources Luncheon at the 2009 Workplace Summit |
Uganda Resolutions Mark Washington Prayer Breakfast
The Council for Global Equality releases a study on the impact of PEPFAR on LGBT communities
The Council for Global Equality Honors Congresswoman Tammy Balwin (D-WI)
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Foreign Assistance Reform
Will LGBT Communities Be Included in U.S. Foreign Assistance Reform?
The Council for Global Equality released a policy paper calling on the National Security Council, the State Department and Congress to include LGBT individuals, as well as other marginalized or targeted minority communities, as vital actors in sound development assistance priorities. While leaders in Washington consider a range of reform proposals, the Council is working to ensure that our new commitments promote global equality for all. Read our paper here.
