Will Trump administration decriminalize homosexuality across the world?

The Trump administration is launching a global campaign to end the criminalization of homosexuality in dozens of nations, according to NBC News.

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, the highest-profile openly gay person in the Trump administration, is leading the effort in the decriminalization in mostly African and Middle Eastern countries.

Part of this decision is in response to President Trump’s denouncement of Iran’s human rights records, which is one of roughly 70 countries in which it’s illegal to be gay. The strategy was reportedly conceived after a gay man was hanged in Iran after being accused of kidnapping. Gay sex has been illegal in Iran since 1979. Homosexuality is punishable by death in eight countries.

“This is not the first time the Iranian regime has put a gay man to death with the usual outrageous claims of prostitution, kidnapping, or even pedophilia,” Grenell said, according to an article from Pink News. “And it sadly won’t be the last time they do it either. Barbaric public executions are all too common in a country where consensual homosexual relationships are criminalized and punishable by flogging and death.”

NBC news reports the campaign is likely to request assistance from the European Union, United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (sic).

This strategy was revealed after multiple attacks from the Trump administration on LGBTQ+ rights, including allowing businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ+ workers and banning transgender people from serving in the military.

Despite many challenges, members of the Trump administration have spoken out about LGBTQ+ rights.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “I deeply believe that LGBTQ+ persons have every right that every other person in the world would have.”

Reports state the plan will not focus on same-sex marriage, but will focus on specifically the decriminalization of homosexuality in countries where it is illegal to be gay.

“People can disagree philosophically about homosexuality, but no person should ever be subject to criminal penalties because they are gay,” Grenell said.

The Gayly 4/8/2019 2:01 p.m. CST