(14) In 2015, the Department of State established the position of Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons. (15) 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. (16) 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. (17) Ongoing United States participation 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. (18) Those who represent the United States abroad, including our diplomats, development specialists and military, should reflect the diversity of our country and honor America’s call to equality, including through proud and open service abroad by LGBTI Americans and those living with HIV. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees Except as provided in section 5, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate