U.S. President Joe Biden Signs Executive Order advancing LGBTQI+ equality
U.S. President Joe Biden Signs Executive Order advancing LGBTQI+ equality.
"President Biden believes that no one should face discrimination because of who they are or whom they love."
The United States President, Mr. Joe Biden will sign an executive order to safeguard the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
President Biden has been a strong advocate for the community, and during his first joint address to Congress, he urged the Congress to pass the Equality Act and provide overdue civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ people.
The executive order will be signed in the pride month Advancing Equality for LGBTQI+ Individuals. Additionally, Biden will also invite elected officials, leaders, families, and advocates from the LGBTQ+ community to the White House for a reception.
In an attempt to make progress in the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community, the executive order will:
1. Address discriminatory legislative attacks against LGBTQI+ children and families, directing key agencies to protect families and children;
2. Prevent so-called "conversion therapy" with a historic initiative to protect children from the harmful practice;
3. Safeguard health care, and programs designed to prevent youth suicide;
4. Support LGBTQI+ children and families by launching a new initiative to protect foster youth, prevent homelessness, and improve access to federal programs; and
5. Take new, additional steps to advance LGBTQI+ equality.
To help support families and youth from the community, Biden has directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release new samples of policies for states on how to expand health care facilities for LGBTQI+ patients.
The Department of Education is directed to release a new sample of school policy for the inclusion of LGBTQI+ students.
In his attempt to campaign for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, Biden has appointed a historically diverse administration including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay Cabinet Secretary; Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate; Ambassador Chantale Wong, the first open lesbian to achieve the rank of Ambassador; and the first openly gay White House Counsel, Stuart Delery. Fourteen percent of the President's appointees identify as LGBTQI+.
The executive order is an endeavor toward Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce, with key provisions for LGBTQI+ public servants.
Under the Presidentship of Biden, the pride is back at the White House. U.S. embassies and diplomatic outposts are allowed to fly the Pride flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag at their embassy or consulate.
