U.S. foreign policy protects the human rights of all people, including the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals, says the State Department.

“While progress has been made, human rights abuses against transgender persons, particularly trans women of color and non-binary persons, remain all too common in many countries around the world,” said the State Department’s Scott Busby at a virtual event to honor the Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2021. “Governments have an obligation to protect, respect and uphold the dignity and fundamental freedoms of all people,” including those who are LGBTQI+.

glifaa was proud to join @StateDRL and celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. In his opening remarks, Acting Principal Assistant Secretary Scott Busby called on governments to act and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of Transgender persons. pic.twitter.com/HZD8Xs5E79

— glifaa (@glifaa) April 2, 2021

Transgender rights activists from Bangladesh, Mexico and Poland also spoke about their advocacy of LGBTQI+ rights around the world.

The three activists underscored the need for greater acceptance and making public spaces safe for the transgender community everywhere.

Chaber (© Sophie Degroote/ILGA-Europe)

“People’s lives and experiences shouldn’t be up for debate,” said Chaber, an activist from Poland who is a co-chair of the International Trans Fund and the finance director of ILGA-Europe.

Chaber called for a deeper understanding and appreciation for the international transgender community’s struggles by allies and advocates. “Public spaces do belong to us. We are valid, our experiences are real, and everyday brings us closer.”

Tashnuva Anan Shishir, Bangladesh’s first transgender news broadcaster, echoed Chaber’s sentiments about transgender inclusion and acceptance.

“We have the same pain, we have the same sorrows, we have the same love, as well,” she said. “Forget the barriers from caste, from other barriers. Treat us as human beings.”

Bangladesh’s first transgender news anchor, Tashnuva Anan Shishir, center, reads the news bulletin on March 9. (© Al-emrun Garjon/AP Images)

Zoe Joffre, an activist from Mexico, expressed the belief that the international transgender community can live authentically and in happiness. It all starts with a greater visibility of transgender history and experiences, the actress and television host said.

“Today, this is our goal — have the same rights and have the same opportunities,” she said. “And talk about hope — today, we need to see different histories” and stories of transgender and non-binary people represented in the media.

The virtual event was sponsored by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and glifaa, the officially recognized LGBTQI+ Employee Affinity Group at the State Department.