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President Biden Signs Multiple Executive Orders, Impacting LGBTQ and Other Diverse Communities on First Day in Office

A crowd of people holding protest signs. The person in the foreground is waving a large rainbow flag.

January 19, 2021

The following can be attributed to Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force:

“Today, we saw newly elected President Biden sign executive orders that exemplify the kind of leadership and breadth of understanding of what we face as a nation and as a community.

From racial equity to fair immigration policies to specifically combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, the Biden-Harris administration clearly understands that there exist chasms of disparity for so many of us. These actions rightly begin to immediately address the over-arching crises of the pandemic, the economy, and the clear and present danger of white supremacy, while leading the way to address the many ways diverse communities face disparities on every level.

It is of great significance to the LGBTQ community that on their first day in office, this administration has made it clear that discrimination has no place in the federal government. The recent Supreme Court decision “Bostock v. Clayton County” was a tremendous step forward for LGBTQ Americans. Today’s executive order takes us a step further – building on the Bostock decision to ensure that these protections extend to all federal agencies. We look forward to the day when President Biden will sign the Equality Act, which will amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and the jury system.

These far-ranging executive orders are just the beginning of our work to restore democracy to its full potential and humanity to our government. The Biden-Harris administration and we all must be focused on change, progress, bringing Americans together, and a determination to remain  bold in our shared pursuit of a better, more just country.

The LGBTQ+ community once again has a place at the table and offers us an opportunity for progress on all fronts and a commitment to leave no one behind. It is time to truly embrace the diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ people in every aspect of our nation’s political, economic, racial and social fabric.

Immigration is an LGBTQ issue. Racial equity and justice is an LGBTQ issue. Economic disparities are LGBTQ issues. Reversing the Muslim ban is an LGBTQ issue. Protecting DREAMers is an LGBTQ issue.

From the nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation, to the diverse staff appointments at all levels in the Biden-Harris administration, LGBTQ+ people will be bringing their talents and expertise to solving the challenges facing our country. The National LGBTQ Task Force looks forward to working with the administration to make progress for LGBTQ+ people and our families in all areas of our lives.”