stigma and discrimination, that prevent people from accessing HIV prevention and treatment services . (20) The use of United States diplomatic tools, including the Department of State’s exchange and speaker programs, to address the human rights needs of marginalized communities has helped inform public debates in many countries regarding the protective responsibilities of any democratic government. (21) In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution cosponsored by the United States that established an independent expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to help monitor and track discrimination and violence experienced by LGBTI persons around the world. (22) According to the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, as published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and according to the July 2017 report of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, countries should review and reform criminal laws and correctional systems to ensure that they are consistent with international human rights obligations and are not misused or targeted against vulnerable groups. (23) Engaging multilateral fora and international institutions is critical to impacting global norms and to broadening global commitments to fairer standards for the treatment of all people, including LGBTI. The United States must remain a leader in the United Nations system and has a vested interest in the success of that multilateral engagement. (24) Ongoing United States leadership in the Equal Rights Coalition, which is a new intergovernmental coalition of more than 40 governments and leading civil society organizations that work together to protect the human rights of LGBTI people around the world, remains vital to international efforts to respond to violence and impunity. (25) Those who represent the United States abroad, including our diplomats, development specialists and