Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, during Pride Month, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to take urgent action to defend LGBTQIA+ individuals across the globe—including in countries that are violating international human rights protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, putting at risk the safety of civilians and U.S. citizens working, living, and traveling abroad.

“Every person deserves to show up as their true, authentic selves here in the United States and in countries across the globe—and that includes our LGBTQIA+ community members,” said Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). “However, we are witnessing a deeply concerning rise in human rights violations and criminalization of LGBTQIA+ individuals in other countries, endangering the lives of their civilians and U.S. citizens. It is incumbent upon the United States to protect our LGBTQIA+ siblings at home and abroad not only for our national security but for the safety and freedom of LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.”

In her letter, Rep. Pressley calls on the Trump administration to resume the United States’ role as a global leader in protecting the human rights of all individuals, including LGBTQIA+ people, at home and abroad.

Congresswoman Pressley’s letter calls on Secretary Rubio to respond by July 15^th to the following requests and questions:

• Provide a public statement reaffirming U.S. commitment to protecting the human rights of LGBTQI+ individuals.
• Restore the inclusion of LGBTQI+ analysis in each annual State Department report.
• How does the State Department plan to ensure U.S. citizens and employees are protected in their travels abroad?
• Is the State Department aware of any cases of U.S. citizens being harmed, executed, criminalized, or detained in connection to anti-LGBTQI+ laws?
• How is the State Department planning to proactively educate LGBTQI+ Americans about the risks of traveling to these countries? What guidance exists and is shared proactively for Americans who are detained, criminalized, or facing persecution under these laws?

Text of the letter can be accessed here.

Congresswoman Pressley is a champion for LGBTQIA+ individuals, protecting and uplifting the rights of LGBTQIA+ community members and pushing for policy that ensure all people have the freedom to show up authentically.

• In May 2024, despite Republicans’ attacks, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senators Markey and Warren, celebrated the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding they secured for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
• In November 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed House Republicans for advancing a housing appropriations bill that excluded critical funding for The Pryde and affirmed her support for the project and the LGBTQ+ community writ large. In 2022, Rep. Pressley delivered remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for The Pryde in Hyde Park.
• In June 2023, a coalition of LGBTQ+ grassroots organizations expressed support for H.J.Res. 25, a bicameral joint resolution led in the House by Rep. Pressley, to affirm the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, alongside Rep. Newman, applauded the House passage of their amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking—including trans women of color. The amendment was included in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.
• In January 2023, Rep. Pressley led lawmakers in unveiling a bicameral, joint resolution to affirm the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and take a critical step toward enshrining gender equality in the United States Constitution.
• In July 2022, Rep. Pressley applauded the House Financial Services committee passage of the Credit Reporting Accuracy After a Legal Name Change Act, legislation to make our credit reporting system more inclusive and address credit issues and discrimination faced by trans and nonbinary people who legally change their names. 
• In March 2021, Rep. Pressley re-introduced the People’s Justice Guarantee, which includes calls for humane treatment and gender-affirming care for LGBTQ+ people involved in the criminal legal system.
• In May 2019, Rep. Pressley delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which provides non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans. In Massachusetts.
• In 2019, Rep. Pressley consistently called out HUD Secretary Ben Carson for his attacks on transgender Americans.

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