The Senate confirmed Blinken with overwhelming bipartisan support 78-22 January 26.
Blinken, 58, responded with affirmative responses to Senator Edward Markey s (D-Massachusetts) questions, signaling a U-turn for U.S. foreign policy as the country s global representative during his hearing.
In 2019, Markey, an LGBTQ ally, introduced the GLOBE Act (H.R. 3874, S. 3004), which aims to build a framework to protect LGBTQ rights worldwide through U.S. diplomacy.
Blinken was direct and clear in his goals to fill the vacant Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons position and elevate it to an ambassador role, repudiate the Commission on Unalienable Rights, and allow embassies to again fly the rainbow flag during Pride Month.