Practices, which show a clear pattern of human rights violations, including murder, rape, torture, death threats, extortion, and imprisonment, in every region of the world based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In many instances, police, prison, military, and civilian government authorities have been directly complicit in abuses aimed at LGBTQI citizens. (5) As documented by the Department of State, LGBTQI individuals are subjected in many countries to capricious imprisonment, loss of employment, housing, access to health care, and societal stigma and discrimination. LGBTQI-specific restrictions on basic freedoms of assembly, press, and speech exist in every region of the world. (6) Targeted sanctions are an important tool to push for accountability for violations of the human rights of LGBTQI people. (7) Anti-LGBTQI laws and discrimination pose significant risks for LGBTQI youth who come out to their family or community and often face rejection, homelessness, and limited educational and economic opportunities. These factors contribute to increased risks of substance abuse, suicide, and HIV infection among LGBTQI youth. (8) Anti-LGBTQI laws also increase global health risks. Studies have shown that when LGBTQI people (especially LGBTQI youth) face discrimination, they are less likely to seek HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services. (9) LGBTQI populations are disproportionately impacted by the Mexico City Policy, which is widely referred to as the global gag rule . The global gag rule prohibits foreign organizations receiving health assistance from the United States from providing information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or advocating for access to abortion services in their country, even if an organization is using its own money for such activities. LGBTQI people often receive much of their health care through reproductive health clinics, and organizations that cannot comply with the policy are forced to discontinue work on United States-supported global health projects that are