Cabinet Exit Memos Reflect 8 Years of LGBTQ Progress in the Obama Administration

by HRC Staff

Today, the White House published cabinet exit memos from almost 30 different agencies and government organizations in the Obama Administration.

Today, the White House published cabinet exit memos from almost 30 different agencies and government organizations in the Obama Administration.

President Obama’s legacy of progress for the LGBTQ community is unmatched in history. He signed the only signature pieces of LGBTQ-inclusive legislation to be passed by Congress. The Obama administration also made a record number of appointments of LGBTQ judges and ambassadors — part of 250 LGBTQ appointments  to full-time and advisory positions in the federal government. Additionally, the administration has also proactively instituted many far-reaching administrative and regulatory policy changes that have dramatically improved the lives of LGBTQ people in all 50 states and around the world.

The United States Mission to the United Nations and the Department of Justice’s memos feature sections devoted exclusively to the progress they have made for the LGBTQ community. In addition to those two exit memos, almost half of the agencies included references work and accomplishments related to the LGBTQ community.

Some of the highlights include:

  • The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Department of Defense’s work on lifting the ban on transgender military service.
  • The Department of Justice’s amicus brief in support of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges, lawsuit against the state of North Carolina for enacting HB2 into law, and work to combat violence against the LGBTQ work.
  • The State Department and the Mission to the United Nation’s advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people around the globe, including the appointment of the first-ever Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons and the United States role in championing at the United Nations the proposition that human rights should apply to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

You can read all of the cabinet exit memos at the White House website here.