The Biden-Harris administration has recently announced a series of new actions aimed at protecting the LGBTQ+ community and combating the alarming wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative efforts and censorship in the US. According to a statement from the White House, over a dozen states have implemented laws that infringe on the rights, freedoms and protections of the LGBTQ+ community.
To address this issue, the Department of Homeland Security is launching an LGBTQI+ Community Safety Partnership, working in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The partnership will offer critical safety resources to LGBTQ+ organizations to help them create safe spaces for community members, ensure healthcare providers serving LGBTQ+ people are protected, and facilitate the reporting of hate crimes.
In addition, President Biden announced the appointment of a new coordinator to deal with the rising number of book bans, most of which target books written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. The American Library Association recorded 1,269 attempts to censor library books and resources this year, marking the highest number of book bans in over two decades.
Speaking out against the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and censorship, President Biden called these efforts “an appeal to fear” that is “totally, thoroughly unjustified and ugly.” The President’s stance has been echoed by various organizations fighting for LGBTQ+ rights with the Human Rights Campaign declaring a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ members.
The US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is also appointing a coordinator to combat book bans at state and local levels. These efforts are part of multiple initiatives announced by the White House aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ rights and safety. The administration also plans to introduce measures to protect LGBTQ+ youth in foster care, tackle youth homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community and provide dedicated safety training and resources via the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.
The Biden administration’s support for the LGBTQ+ community includes appointing them to prominent positions in the White House and across the federal government. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who is openly gay, is just one example of this representation in the administration.
Despite these measures, the impacts may be limited given the large number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have already been signed into law in the US and the ongoing efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights and access to healthcare. However, the Biden administration’s actions show a commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of these challenges.
On Friday, June 11, the White House celebrated its first-ever Pride reception with Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and other senior officials in attendance. This event served as a reminder of the struggles that LGBTQ+ people still face in the US and the ongoing need to protect their rights and freedoms.
