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Elections Matter

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force

(November 5, 2019, Washington, DC) – In response to the November 1st new directives for US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees that undermine nondiscrimination protections, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey made this statement:

“Once again, Trump is attacking the most marginalized people in our community.  The administration announced that US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees no longer needed to fear consequences from the federal government if they choose to discriminate against LGBTQ people. This is a disgraceful attempt to empower bigots and block access to services and supports like Head Start, child welfare, aging services, and more.

“On Friday, the Trump administration issued a statement indicating that it intends to weaken the nondiscrimination protections that apply to HHS grants.  At the same time, the administration announced that they would no longer be enforcing the nondiscrimination protections that are currently in place. The lack of enforcement – which is an end run around the regulatory process – will have the deepest impacts on people in our community who are the most in need of support, including LGBTQ people of color, young queer and trans people in the foster care system, people with low or no income, aging LGBTQ people, and LGBTQ people with disabilities.  The LGBTQ community and the broader social justice movement will work together to fight back through comments, testimony, and organizing.

“These Trump actions are also a strong reminder that elections matter. Those who lead our government are responsible for ensuring that services are for all of us, not just some. Today, Americans go to the polls for local and state elections. Next year, the entire country will determine the next administration. The LGBTQ community is experiencing an unprecedented attack on our rights under Trump, an attack that has damaged our health and wellbeing. This is the difference an election can make.”

Contact: Sarah Massey
Communications Director, National LGBTQ Task Force
202 639-6308