President Biden issued a historic executive order today, announcing a series of actions the Administration will take to fight for LGBTQI+ people’s rights in America. The order includes actions to address discriminatory legislative attacks against LGTBQI+ children and families, prevent the use of harmful so-called “conversion-therapy,” safeguard LGBTQI+ people’s health care, protect LGBTQI+ foster youth and families, and improve access to federal programs for LGBTQI+ people and families.
After the announcement today, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from Kristine Kippins, Deputy Legal Director for Policy:
“This is a huge step in the right direction. We are grateful that the Biden Administration is taking another step forward on its commitment to protecting LGBTQI+ people across the country. Given the historic number of state legislative attacks on LGBTQI+ people, specifically LGBTQI+ youth and families, it’s critical that action is taken at the federal level to protect vulnerable children and parents. Today’s Executive Order from the Biden Administration shows that the President understands the many issues preventing LGBTQI+ people — disproportionately trans people, youth, and people of color — from living safe, equal, and full lives in this country. When interacting with our health care, education, foster care, and congregate care systems, LGBTQI+ people have had systemic disadvantages working against them, and we’re hopeful today’s actions will make a real difference.”
“Today’s Executive Order, however, is a beginning, not the end. There is still much work to be done in advancing rights for LGBTQI+ people in this country. We know the Biden Administration’s Department of Education has been working on updated, stronger rules for implementing Title IX’s promise to protect LGBTQI+ youth, and that the Department of Health and Human Services will build on today’s EO in order to reverse discriminatory and harmful Trump-era regulations and implement the non-discrimination protections in our health care and foster care systems by working directly with LGBTQI+ people and issuing long-awaited new rules. The need for these protections is urgent. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration until all LGBTQI+ people are able to live their lives with the dignity and respect that every human being deserves.”