In a moment marked by both unprecedented progress and powerful backlash, LGBTQ+ rights are once again at the center of legal and political debate—at home and abroad. From groundbreaking recognition in international law to the resurgence of anti-LGBTQI+ policies in the United States and around the world, the global landscape is shifting rapidly.
This panel will explore where we are now in the global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights, what progress has been made through legal mechanisms, and how that progress is being challenged. A key milestone came in July 2025, when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against senior Taliban leaders, recognizing, for the first time in international tribunal history, crimes against humanity of gender persecution that include LGBTQI+ victims. At the same time, recent policy shifts in the U.S. are contributing to a broader global rollback. These changes have emboldened anti-LGBTQI+ movements worldwide, with chilling effects for activists, advocates, and the rule of law.
Join us for a timely discussion on International Human Rights Day with leading experts in international human rights, U.S. policy, and legal advocacy to unpack what this moment means for the future of LGBTQI+ rights and how legal practitioners can respond.
Panelists:
- Carrie Bettinger Lopez / Nienke Grossman (moderators)
- Jessica Stern, Former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons (Biden Administration)
- Lisa Davis, Professor of Law, CUNY School of Law; Co-Director, Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic
- Victor Madrigal-Borloz, former UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
Organized as part of ASIL’s Signature Topic on Advancing Gender Justice.