The United States used to be an advocate and a global leader of human rights. But, like many things that have changed with the Trump presidency, the United States is regressing in its activism for human rights. Not only did the US withdraw from the United Nation's Human Rights Council, but LGBTQ+ rights are now up next on the chopping block.

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration banned transgender servicemen. Just this week, the Trump Administration decided that it will no longer grant visas to same-sex partners of diplomats. New policy changes surrounding the G-4 visa prevents diplomats, who are not married, from bringing their significant other to the United States. Even when Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, the United States allowed for the visas to go to same-sex couples; President Trump is reversing the trend and, thus, reversing the much fought for progress for LGBTQ+ rights.

Although the law only affects a select few diplomats, the implications of Trump's changes to the G-4 visa are international and irreversible. At the point where only 12% of UN nations have legalized same-sex marriage, the United States is one of the few nations that have made considerable progress in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. Due to our diplomatic prowess and hegemonic status, the United States is in a unique position to encourage and lead other nations to implement similar reforms.

Unfortunately, when the United States ceases to support the LGBTQ+ community, the calls for basic rights further delegitimized. It is nearly is impossible to imagine that UN employees can continue to expect the United States to maintain it's status as the global guarantor of human rights when they are denied their rights in the United States.

Our nation's discrimination against our people has gone on for long enough. I know that we as a nation must continue our fight for LGBTQ+ rights, despite having a president that's against, rather than in support, of these basic human rights.