The day-long event brought together hundreds of advocates, allies and administration leaders to celebrate Pride Month and discuss support for the LGBTQI+ community.
On Monday, June 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a Pride Summit attended by hundreds of advocates and allies in the LGBTQI+ community and leaders across the Biden Harris administration.of HHS Pride Summit Highlights key achievements of the Biden administration, including efforts to improve access to health care services, health equity, identity affirmation, support for civil rights, and positive conversations about continued support for the LGBTQI+ community bottom.
Xavier Becerra takes office summit It included remarks highlighting the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to expanding health equity, supporting gender-positive care, and defending LGBTQI+ rights. He also detailed the different ways HHS celebrated Pride Month.
“Supporting the LGBTQI+ community is a top priority for me and HHS. Equity is at the heart of everything we do here,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We are facing difficult challenges right now, with some politicians spouting hateful rhetoric and imposing restrictions on the LGBTQI+ community. We are confident that we will get through this moment.”
In addition to the secretary, the summit included HHS and government officials: White House Press Secretary Carine Jean-Pierre.
White House Deputy National MPOX Coordinator Demetre Daskalakis, HRSA Administrator Carol Johnson, SAMHSA Policy Institute Director Brian Altman. HUD Assistant Chief of Staff for Regional Planning and Development Marion McFadden, Assistant Secretary of Health Admiral Rachel Levine, HHS Director of Civil Rights Melanie Fontes Reiner, White House Director of National AIDS Policy Harold Phillips, Senior Counselor for National AIDS Policy LGBTQI+ at OASH Health Equity Adrian Shanker et al.
External participants at the summit included Human Rights Campaign Director Kelly Robinson, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights Imani Rupert Gordon, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Trans Justice Strategist Ahri Christian, Mr. Casey Pick was included. , Trevor Project Director of Law and Policy, Julie Seaver, Executive Director, Compass LGBTQ Community Center, Florida; Robert Salcido, Executive Director, San Antonio Center Pride Center; and Kelly Blair, Founder, Diversity Center, Oklahoma.
Administration and HHS leaders day in and day out, the history the Biden-Harris administration has taken to ensure that the LGBTQI+ community (youth, adults, families, parents, health care providers) has the resources and support they need and deserve. detailed behavior. Actions include:
- As of today, the federal website HHS launched last month states: FindSupport.Govwill provide new resources for LGBTQI+ individuals seeking access to comprehensive and positive mental health care and support, as well as ways to avoid and cope with harmful approaches like “conversion therapy.” FindSupport.Gov is a new user-friendly website designed for the general public, where people can identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and seek help for mental health-related issues. help you learn how to get better support. , drugs, or alcohol.
- We are making historic investments in youth mental health to give every child a chance to thrive.
In early June, HHS announced that it would soon issue behavioral health care recommendations for transgender and gender-diverse youth to provide evidence-based practices for mental health providers.
- Publish guidance to state child welfare agencies clarifying that states should use child welfare systems to promote the safety and support of LGBTQI+ youth, including access to gender-affirming care .
- Publish patient privacy guidance to clarify that providers are not required to disclose personal patient information related to gender-affirming care.
- Publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. It is working hard towards a final decision to codify protections for transgender people in both medical care and health insurance coverage. We also released HHS SAMHSA. LGBTQI+ Family Support Grant Provide $1.7 million in federal funding for programs that prevent health and behavioral health risks, including suicide and homelessness, for LGBTQI+ youth by helping families affirm and support their LGBTQI+ children. This NOFO will be closed on July 3rd.
Today, June 26, Secretary Becerra also met with the National Coalition of Health Professionals who provide gender-affirming care to the LGBTQI+ community. The secretary expressed support and admiration for their efforts and shared that the Biden-Harris administration is supporting them. He was also joined by Civil Rights Commissioner Melanie Fontes Reiner and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
HHS also celebrated Pride Month with several different activities and actions.
- Secretary Becerra travels the country for events celebrating the LGBTQI+ community, including roundtables with LGBTQI+ youth on mental health and events focused on access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.
- HHS hoisted the flag of comprehensive Progress Pride at its Washington, DC headquarters, various agency headquarters, and local offices around the country. HHS will also be the first federal agency in U.S. history to fly a transgender pride flag outside its headquarters in 2022.
- Secretary Becerra and Admiral Levine marched to the DC Pride Parade to lead HHS appointees and their families to show HHS supports the LGBTQI+ community. Community leaders participated in Pride Parades and other Pride Month events.
- The heads and assistant secretaries of several HHS agencies met with LGBTQI+ stakeholders and community members to listen and commit to their continued commitment to acting for LGBTQI+ individuals and their health and well-being. bottom.
