; and (14) to ensure that those who have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of being LGBTQI+ or supporting LGBTQI+ rights have the opportunity to seek protection in the United States. 4. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ People (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary of State shall establish in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) of the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples (in this section referred to as the Special Envoy ), who shall be appointed by the President. The Special Envoy shall report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. (2) Rank The President may appoint the Special Envoy at the rank of Ambassador, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (b) Purpose In addition to the duties described in subsection (c) and those duties determined by the President and the Secretary of State, the Special Envoy shall direct efforts of the United States Government relating to United States foreign policy, as directed by the President and the Secretary, regarding human rights abuses against LGBTQI+ people and communities internationally and the advancement of human rights for LGBTQI+ people, and shall represent the United States internationally in bilateral and multilateral engagement on such matters. (c) Duties The Special Envoy— (1) shall serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding the human rights of LGBTQI+ people internationally; and (2) at the direction of the Secretary of State— (A) shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, direct activities, policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights of LGBTQI+ people and the advancement of LGBTQI+ equality initiatives internationally, for all bureaus and offices of the Department of State, and shall lead the coordination of relevant international programs for all other Federal agencies relating to such matters