by Benjamin Bull
On Dec. 6, the White House released a memorandum instructing
the heads of U.S. executive departments and agencies abroad to
join in the “struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons” around the world.
In the memorandum, President Barack Obama expressed his
concern over a broad swatch of matters in this arena, from “laws that
criminalize LGBT status” to “beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT
pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived
sexual orientation.” At the same time, the president also said, “Under my
Administration, agencies engaged abroad have already begun taking action to
promote the fundamental human rights of LGBT persons everywhere.”
