About the Author: Kris M. Balderston serves as the Special Representative forGlobal Partnerships within the Office of the Secretary of State.

In five countries around the world, consensual sex between same-gender partners is considered a crime punishable by death. In 76 countries, it is a crime with a prison sentence if convicted. And for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, verbal abuse and physical violence — ranging from psychological torture to beatings and murder — are the status quo and often go unprosecuted by local and national authorities in many countries. These continued human rights abuses are unacceptable, and the Obama Administration is committed to combating them, but we also need your help.

Last December, the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launched the Global Equality Fund — a new initiative to defend the human rights of LGBT persons in communities around the… more »