TODAY: Janet Napolitano confirmation hearing for Secretary of Homeland Security
January 15, 2009
Today the Senate will also hold a hearing on the confirmation of President-elect Obama’s designee for Secretary of Homeland Security, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. In this position, Napolitano will be responsible for directing efforts to protect the country from within our borders, including responding to natural disasters.
This role provides the Secretary of Homeland Security the opportunity to ensure that LGBT citizens are treated equally in many spheres. Several examples include:
- Ensuring humane treatment for transgender detainees.
- Ending discrimination against LGBT people in the provision of disaster relief services and promote new regulations to ensure that lesbian and gay couples and their families are eligible for federal disaster assistance.
- Amending the Transportation Security Administration’s (“TSA”) Standard Operating Procedures for screening commercial airline passengers so that they do not invade the personal and medical privacy of transgender travelers.
As Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano supported the effort to provide domestic partner benefits to employees of the state, and has publicly denounced the military’s failed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
The hearig began at 10:00 EST before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
