U.S. President Joe Biden has awarded George Soros, a notable investor and philanthropist, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. This decision highlights Soros's global efforts through his Open Society Foundations to promote democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.

Biden praised Soros for focusing on initiatives that bolster these values worldwide. However, Soros's approach to human rights involves supporting controversial topics like abortion, sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), prostitution, and sexuality education. These issues often spark division within the international community.

At the 2023 Women Deliver conference, the Open Society Foundation announced a new funding initiative aimed at countering what they describe as an "anti-rights movement." This initiative focuses on neglected areas of sexual and reproductive health, particularly concerning "women in all their diversity" and LGBTQIA+ communities. The phrase "women in all their diversity" is interpreted by some as including biological men.

A longstanding goal of Soros-funded projects includes addressing what they view as threats to sexual and reproductive health rights. For instance, OpenDemocracy received a $600,000 grant over 33 months to expose such threats. Some activities under this funding have included publishing private communications from pro-life groups and pressuring financial institutions against supporting conservative charities.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has collaborated with Open Society to combat what they see as regressive legislation funded by conservative networks. IPPF regards this work as essential for defending democracy against authoritarian influences.

OpenDemocracy has also opposed funding for "conversion therapy," which activists claim encompasses any attempt to manage unwanted feelings through talk therapy rather than medical interventions like puberty blockers or surgeries.

Soros-backed organizations advocate for decriminalizing prostitution under the term "sex work," opposing laws targeting clients or facilitators involved in prostitution operations.

Additionally, the Open Society Foundations support gestational surrogacy access through a project named Surrogacy360. This effort aligns with broader themes of reproductive justice and LGBTQ rights advocated by Soros’s foundation.

By bestowing this honor upon Soros, Biden concludes his presidency while highlighting divergent views on pro-life issues he once supported.