Independence Day & LGBTQ Equality

We’ve come along way this year despite dealing with a political divide in the midst of a pandemic. The Biden Administration is slowly pumping air back into a country that was being suffocated by rightwing hatemongers. Each week another appointment or policy is being made that reflects a more diverse & evolved country. Just last week the Biden administration nominated Chantale Wong as U.S. Director to the Asian Development Bank with the rank of Ambassador becoming the first out lesbian & first out person of color ever nominated for an ambassador-level position. Also last week the White House Domestic Policy Council & Gender Policy Council announced the formation of an Interagency Working Group within the White House that will coordinate policies to advance the safety, economic opportunity & inclusion of transgender Americans. With the epidemic of violence against trans women of color & state governments continuing to propose & pass bills targeting trans school children the White House is sending a strong, clear message that the United States federal government is going to do all it can to end this epidemic of transphobia. David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition stated, “We look forward to continuing our work with members of the White House & with this new interagency toward advancing the rights of all trans people in the United States.” However there's still so much more to be done to ensure the right to live our lives authentically. This is why Congress must pass the Equality Act to codify into law civil rights protections for our LGBTQ community across the nation. So Happy July 4th & let’s figure out how to get the Equality Act finally passed.