The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new framework for “LGBTQI inclusive development” on Wednesday, which includes a policy goal of aiding in access to “comprehensive sexuality education.”
The framework also says that access to sexual health care and “reproductive rights,” which frequently refers to abortion, are key outcomes pursued by USAID, which is the federal agency that distributes billions of taxpayers dollars every year to countries around the world.
“USAID affirms and celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people and all people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) as integral parts of every society,” the new framework says.
According to USAID LGBTQ coordinator Jay Gilliam, inclusive development means that “every individual and community, of all diverse identities and experiences, is instrumental in the transformation of their own societies.”
Gilliam previously worked as the global director of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that has opposed bans on sex-change operations on children.
“USAID is incredibly proud to stand for nondiscrimination, to stand for empathy, and to stand for inclusion. We dedicate ourselves to those values during pride month and every month of the year,” USAID Director Sammantha Power said in the framework’s launch video.
Screen grab from USAID framework.
In addition to addressing violence around the world, the framework says that LGBT-identifying individuals are denied opportunities for “political participation and economic empowerment” throughout the globe.
The framework also goes to great lengths to recognize all potential gender identities.
“USAID recognizes that language is dynamic and evolves, that terminology differs across languages and cultures, and that it is always best to ask individuals from local LGBTQI+ communities about preferred terminology. Regardless of the acronym used, USAID’s intention is to be inclusive of the full diversity of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and variations in sex characteristics,” the document says.
The framework highlights one clinic in India supported by USAID that is “run by and for transgender individuals” in the country. The U.S. has backed other “Pride” events in India, including an event on “pride in American literature.”
The announcement of the new initiative comes after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a bill on Tuesday to abolish USAID over concerns it’s using taxpayer dollars to spread “wokeism” abroad.
“American taxpayer dollars are being wasted to fund radical leftist propaganda in foreign countries,” Gaetz said in the press release. “The American people will not tolerate government-funded degeneracy at home, and we certainly will not accept its force-feeding abroad under Old Glory.”
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