Canada called to fill the void in defending LGBTQ+ rights

OTTAWA – The former American diplomat in charge of LGBTQ+ rights has called on Canada to strengthen its support for sexual and gender minorities abroad, as the threat of reducing American foreign aid loomed over a conference on development and human rights held this week in Ottawa.

During the event, a minister from the South African government urged Canada to stand firm against efforts by President Donald Trump’s government to erode human rights globally.

Jessica Stern, appointed by former American President Joe Biden as U.S. Special Envoy for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people, spoke to La Presse Canadienne on the sidelines of the Ottawa Civil Space Summit.

She stated that there was a funding and rights defense deficit left by Donald Trump, which undermines work for LGBTQ+ people abroad.

“Canada has everything to gain by filling this void and showing what it stands for,” Ms. Stern said. “There are not enough countries in the world defending LGBTQI issues. Therefore, Canada plays an outsized role.”

Ms. Stern’s call was not an isolated case

Steve Letsike, South African Deputy Minister responsible for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, stated that her country is striving to defend human rights on the continent in the face of a coordinated global movement seeking to undermine them. She added that Canada could lend assistance.

“We are witnessing the rise of anti-rights, anti-gender, and anti-democratic forces. They are well organized and have significant resources. They are learning tactics and strategies,” she stated.

“It is very important that we, progressives who want to see a fairer world and a better world, strengthen the locks, squeeze them tight, to ensure that we do not undermine the achievements of democracy everywhere,” she argued.

Ms. Stern’s term ended in January 2025 when Donald Trump took power, and her work is being dismantled.

Her final mission was to successfully conduct assessments of LGBTQ+ rights in 193 countries for the annual human rights report of the U.S. State Department. When these reports were published a few months later, all chapters dedicated to gender and sexual minorities had disappeared.

Ms. Stern believed that Washington had also erased internal government documents on LGBTQ+ issues and feared that the Trump administration would disclose the names of activists to hostile governments or even fund conversion therapies.

“We are seeing a resurgence of threats against LGBTQI people around the world, but we are seeing a decrease in the political will to defend them,” she argued.

A coordinated opposition movement

For years, evangelical groups have been striving to coordinate a transnational movement aimed at undermining LGBTQ+ rights globally, banning certain sexual acts, and restricting medical services for transgender individuals.

In recent years, this movement has shifted towards legal restrictions on expression and identity, such as a Ugandan law that criminalizes identifying as LGBTQ+ and punishes certain sexual acts with the death penalty.

The Trump administration dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the world’s largest aid organization with a $40 billion budget, depriving millions of HIV-positive people of access to vital medication. Administration officials also expressed support for far-right European political parties seeking to restrict LGBTQ+ rights.

The Dignity Network, a coalition of Canadian organizations advocating for sexual and gender minorities abroad, called on Ottawa to double its annual international aid budget for LGBTQ+ people to $20 million.

“This would have virtually no impact on Canada’s accounts, but it would position Canada as the leading government in the world,” Ms. Stern said, adding that Ottawa could also intensify its action against repressive laws.

“Canada can show leadership at this moment. It can be a beacon of hope by speaking up in multilateral fora,” she stated.

“The benefits will be enormous. Canada’s reputation will be enhanced. LGBTQI individuals will thrive. Their families will be happy. Human rights standards will be respected,” she concluded.

Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has cited human rights and civilian protection as one of the three pillars of its foreign policy. Mr. Carney has expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights and highlighted the importance of foreign aid, although he has reduced funding for global health programs such as HIV eradication.

The government has redirected its foreign aid policy from grants to collaborating with the private sector, including providing assistance through business projects that create jobs in developing countries.

At a roundtable on Wednesday during the Civil Space Summit, both Ms. Stern and Ms. Letsike argued that defending LGBTQ+ rights contributes to building more productive economies.

“Fighting discrimination and violence is a good business. Employees thrive when they know they can go to work safely,” Ms. Stern declared.

She added that activists have a duty to convince voters that foreign aid and human rights advocacy prevent global instability that undermines economies.

“In every country, we need to better explain the issues of foreign policy, so that the average citizen understands the link between the price of gasoline, the cost of eggs, and the decisions our governments make around the world,” she said.