U.S. Must Update Family Paid Leave

The United States lack of any permanent national paid leave policy makes it the sole outlier among industrialized countries & puts workers’ jobs, economic security & health at risk as well as the growth of the nation’s economy overall. This policy gap deeply affects our LGBTQ community who often have less access to care from traditional family structures in particular ways. The Center for American Progress has released an article entitled “Paid Leave Policies Must Include Chosen Family” that states that policymakers at the state & federal levels should act to pass paid family & medical leave & paid sick time laws that ensure the ability to care for all those whom Americans consider family—including chosen family—while working to expand existing laws to meet the same needs. Caroline Medina, Center for American Progress Director of LGBTQI+ Policy stated, “Policymakers must adopt paid leave policies that are inclusive of chosen family & reflect the diverse caregiving needs of people across the country. Doing so is essential to better support the economic well-being and health of LGBTQI+ workers, families & millions of others who rely on these relationships for caregiving support.” Molly Weston Williamson, Senior Fellow for the Women’s Initiative at Center for American Progress Director concluded, “Without paid leave, far too many people are forced to choose between being there for the people they love & the job that pays their bills. We need paid leave for all, including paid leave for all families, however they are built.” The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research & educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just & free America that ensures opportunity for all.

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