(WASHINGTON, DC, DECEMBER 15, 2020)
The following statement can be attributed to Rea Carey, Executive Director:
“Today, President-elect Biden made history by nominating former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. If confirmed, he will be the first out LGBTQ Cabinet Secretary in history. Our hope is that this historic first is just that – the first – of more LGBTQ nominees at this and other levels of government service. Our community has a deep, diverse and talented bench to serve in all agencies. We know the day will come when we will have accomplished the “firsts” and can celebrate the full range of contributions made by LGBTQ people in government.
Rea Carey, Executive Director
We are pleased to see the prior appointments of Karine Jean-Pierre as deputy press secretary, and Pili Tobar, an immigration rights advocate named deputy White House communications director. Also, Carlos Elizondo, who is openly gay and was Biden’s social secretary when Biden was vice president, was named White House social secretary. We look forward to supporting other qualified LGBTQ appointees in successful confirmations.
We urge the incoming administration to continue to appoint LGBTQ+ individuals and we hope to see history made with the appointment of more transgender people and people of color from our community to fully represent our diversity and multiple identities.”
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice, and equity for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. For more information, go to https://www.thetaskforce.org
Contact
Cathy Renna, Interim Communications Director, National LGBTQ Task Force
[email protected], 917-757-6123