USA Historic Executive Order Advancing LGBTQI+ Equality During Pride Month

By Christine Kinori

Earlier this week, President Biden led the celebration of Pride Month in the White House by signing an executive order to address the rising number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country.

“Over 300 anti-LGBTQI+ laws have been introduced in state legislatures over the past year, and many of them specifically target transgender children and their parents by banning access to medical care and support at school.” Fact Sheet, whitehouse.gov

The executive order is set to combat discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+individuals, passed in conservative states such as Florida that overwhelmingly target the rights of gays, lesbians, transgender youth, and others.

Over the past few years, some Republican politicians have successfully managed to pass bills signed into law that limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, deny trans girls and women from competing on girls' sports teams in school, and prohibit the instruction of LGBTQ issues such as gender identity or sexual orientation in school.

The order also bans federally funded programs from offering the heavily discredited conversion therapy. This is an inhumane form of therapy where doctors try to adjust a person's gender identity or sexual orientation with treatment. Through the order, the President asked the Federal Trade Commission to consider whether the practice constitutes an unfair or deceptive act. In his speech, President Biden said, "This is the first time the federal government is using a coordinated response against this dangerous, discredited practice."

President Biden's order also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work with states to enable easy access to youth mental health counseling and reinforce non-discrimination protections in the foster care system. HHS will also be tasked with coming up with "new sample policies for states on how to enable access to comprehensive healthcare" for LGBTQ patients. Similarly, The Department of Education has been directed to release a "full inclusion" policy at schools.

The signing of this executive order comes at a pivotal time in the history of the country's LGBTQ+ advocacy. It is not only a symbolic move by the Government to do this during Pride month but it is also a clear message of the government's stance towards the recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a record number of over 320 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in states across the country this year.

In a ceremony held at the White House filled with LGBTQ+ activists, President Biden acknowledge that America is, "in a battle for the soul of the nation." He however went on to reassure them that it is a battle they can win. He expressed his support saying, "My message to all the young people: Just be you. You are loved. You are understood. You do belong," Biden added. "I want you to know that as your President, all of us on this stage, have your back." The signing of the executive order is a sign that President Biden is working on fulfilling his promises to the queer community during his presidential campaign.

During the ceremonial speech, the President condemned the recent riots by anti-LGBTQ+ extremists planned to disrupt Pride events. He called the attacks on the queer community disgusting and said they needed to be stooped. So far, more than two dozen members of a white supremacist group who participated in the attacks have been arrested. They will be charged with conspiracy to riot which is a misdemeanor.

Christine Kinori is a queer travel freelance writer. “I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new culture. I believe in equality and I want my daughter to live in a better world.”