U.S. special envoy to attend summits addressing African nations' LGBTQ rights

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- As gay acceptance and equality gradually takes hold in different places worldwide, many African nations continue to criminalize same-sex couples.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of State announced that it is participating in international summits targeting LGBTQ rights and is sending one of its special envoys to South Africa to take part.

Jessica Stern is the U.S. special envoy to advance the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons and will chair the Global Equality Fund meeting scheduled on Saturday, the Department of State announced Thursday in a news release.

The Global Equality Fund is an "international coalition of like-minded governments, businesses and foundations" that support "programs that provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders and grassroots LGBTQI+ organizations to generate positive change," according to the State Department.

Stern also will participate in the Global LGBTI Funding Summit that is hosted by the Global Philanthropy Project.

That summit is scheduled Saturday through Monday and involves more than 200 global funding entities that are focused on promoting equality and inclusion for those who identify as LGBTQ.

Stern also will participate in the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association World Conference that is scheduled Monday through Friday.

The conference is expected to draw more than 1,000 human rights activists from more than 160 nations and focuses on addressing LGBTQ rights in all global regions and advancing respect for all people's human rights.

The South African conferences are occurring after Amnesty International in January announced increased discriminatory laws targeting LGBTQ populations in African nations.

"Across Africa, LGBTI persons find themselves contending with a disturbing regression of progress, facing relentless protests against their identities and confronting formidable obstacles to their legal and social rights," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's regional director for East and Southern Africa.

Africa has 31 nations that criminalize consensual same-sex activities and contradict African Union and international human rights standards, according to Amnesty International.

Pope Francis has criticized such laws during recent visits with African leaders.

U.S. participation in the South African conferences aligns with federal policy regarding LGBTQ matters.

President Joe Biden previously made it official policy for the State Department to promote LGBTQ rights around the globe.