Global Respect Act

The Global Respect Act is a proposed U.S. federal bill that would use sanctions to hold accountable foreign individuals responsible for serious human rights violations against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Measures include denying or revoking U.S. entry visas for those responsible. First introduced in the House in 2014 by Representative David Cicilline, it has been reintroduced in later sessions of Congress, appearing in the 119th Congress as H.R. 6151 and S. 2180. Supported by groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, it reflects an effort to make protection of LGBTQ people abroad a part of U.S. foreign policy. As of 2026 it remains proposed legislation and has not been enacted.