"Sexual rights" is the term the U.S. government plans to use to refer the prerogatives of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, the State Department announced in remarks made to a United Nations panel on Tuesday.

"The United States understands the term 'sexual rights' to include all individuals' 'right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence,'" Richard Erdman, the acting U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and Social Council, told the organization's Women Executive Board.

In his definition, Erdman was quoting from the "Platform for Action" adopted at the 1995 Beijing Women's Conference.

"We wish to clarify that the United States will use the term 'sexual rights' or 'sexual and reproductive health and rights' to express rights that are not legally binding," the diplomat cautioned, noting that such prerogatives are not classified as human rights under international law. "It is, however, a critical expression of our support for the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity."

Despite the legal limitations, the Washington-based Center for Health and Gender Equity noted on Thursday that it was delighted by the announcement, the Associated Press reported.

"On one level, it's symbolic," Serra Sippel, the center's president, said. "[But] it also sends a signal to the global community that sexual and reproductive health and rights are a part of the global development agenda."

The announcement came ahead of a gathering of 150 world leaders at the United Nations to launch ambitious new development goals, including gender equality, the Christian Science Monitor pointed out. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights by 2030 will likely be a major initiative tackled at the meeting, the newspaper noted.

"As we work to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls will continue to play an important part," Erdman concluded.