The United Nations Human Rights Committee has raised serious concerns about the United States’ treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting it as a violation of an international human rights agreement. In a comprehensive review, the committee pinpointed numerous issues, including bans on gender-affirming healthcare and LGBTQ+ discussions in schools, violence against LGBTQ+ people, and inadequate hate crime data collection. This critique comes as part of the U.N.’s assessment of the U.S. under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the U.S. ratified in 1992.
Broader Human Rights Violations
The committee’s criticisms extend beyond LGBTQ+ issues, encompassing a range of human rights concerns in the U.S. These include the handling of racist policing practices, the plight of Native American women facing violence and kidnapping, criminalization of homelessness, and extra-judicial drone killings. The U.N.’s review indicates a comprehensive look at the U.S.’s human rights record, underscoring multiple areas where the country falls short of its international commitments.
U.S. Response and Activist Disappointment
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Michele Taylor, acknowledged the need for improvement, stating the U.S. will “pledge to do more.” However, this response was met with criticism from activists and human rights advocates like Jamil Dakwar of the ACLU, who found the U.S. responses lacking in substance. This sentiment was echoed by a group of 140 activists who traveled to Geneva to protest the U.S.’s human rights record. Their collective walkout from the committee’s review symbolized their disappointment with U.S. officials’ perceived deflection of the committee’s questions.
Political Context and International Critique
Representative Barbara Lee and President Joe Biden have addressed these issues at the U.N. General Assembly, highlighting the increasing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights globally and domestically. The U.S. faces internal and external criticism for its approach to LGBTQ+ rights, with the Biden-Harris administration urged to intensify efforts to protect these rights. The international perspective, as shared by U.N. Independent Expert Victor Madrigal-Borloz, emphasizes the significant progress made under the current administration, yet highlights the urgency to counteract regressive policies and rhetoric.
Conclusion: A Call for Upholding LGBTQ+ Rights
The U.N. committee’s critique serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. and the country’s obligation to uphold international human rights standards. It calls attention to the need for continued and strengthened efforts to protect LGBTQ+ rights and address broader human rights concerns within the United States. The global perspective provided by the U.N. highlights the interconnectedness of human rights issues and the importance of adhering to international commitments to ensure equality and justice for all.