As USAID commemorates the conclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month 2015, we celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court decision that the love two people commit to one another, whether the same or opposite gender, should be equally recognized under law and is a civil right.  I join President Obama and my colleagues across the federal government in also celebrating LGBTI diversity and inclusion in our workforce, and in the work we do with the global LGBTI community.

As USAID partners to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies, we know that LGBTI people around the world are one of the most likely groups to live in extreme poverty.  LGBTI communities often have limited access to government, democratic processes, and social services that are essential for personal well-being and growth.  We seek to empower LGBTI people to secure better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

This year, our Agency reflects on the progress made and the work still ahead to improve the lives of LGBTI citizens around the world.  Over the past year, USAID has accelerated its efforts in the international LGBTI sphere through collective efforts with advocates on the ground and partners who help the Agency implement its programs so that all beneficiaries may participate in USAID programs without discrimination.

I am proud of these efforts and want to highlight the following:

• Co-hosting the third Annual Conference to Advance the Human Rights of and Promote Inclusive Development for LGBTI Persons with the U.S. Department of State to discuss and strategize on how to most effectively protect the human rights of LGBTI persons and promote their inclusion in development programs;
• Convening the landmark Regional Dialogue on LGBTI Human Rights and Health in Asia-Pacific that elevated existing discourse on LGBTI rights through our Being LGBT in Asia program; and
• Releasing a Toolkit on how LGBTI-specific concerns and interventions can be integrated into programming across the range of USAID sectors.

USAID's ongoing efforts will ensure that LGBTI persons participate in our development work and are instrumental in the transformation of their own societies.

Read more about USAID's work on LGBTI inclusive development athttp://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/democracy-human-rights-and-governance/protecting-human-rights/advancing-lgbti-human-rights.