In A Historic First Week, President Biden Dramatically Improves the Lives of Millions of LGBTQ People

by HRC staff

Post submitted by Viet Tran (he/him/they/them), former HRC Press Secretary

Beginning even prior to Day One, President Joe Biden and his administration have made rapid, unprecedented progress towards advancing LGBTQ equality. From his historic appointments to a slate of Executive Actions advancing LGBTQ equality and racial equity, it has truly been a historic week for improving the day-to-day lives of the approximately 11 million LGBTQ adults and millions more LGBTQ youth.

DAY ONE

The Biden administration issued the most substantive, wide-ranging LGBTQ executive order in U.S. history that implements the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. The Executive Order will have a real and practical impact on the day-to-day lives of the approximately 11 million LGBTQ adults and millions more LGBTQ youth in the United States. The Human Rights Campaign requested that the Biden administration issue an order to implement the Bostock decision after the Trump administration failed to properly enforce it across federal agencies, choosing instead to argue that LGBTQ people were not protected under federal civil rights laws. For more on the wide-ranging implications of the order, click here.

The Biden administration issued a number of executive orders on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. The executive orders aim to support all marginalized communities including people living with disabilities, religious minorities, members of the LGBTQ community and those living in rural areas.

DAY THREE

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited D.C.-based community health center and clinic Whitman-Walker Health, a leading LGBTQ community health center, as one of her first public visits. For decades, Whitman-Walker Health has provided crucial services and support to LGBTQ people and people living with HIV and AIDS.

DAY FOUR

The Biden administration’s Department of Justice reversed the Trump administration’s last minute attempt to unjustly limit the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. “The Justice Department has taken its first major step under President Joe Biden to reverse the Trump administration’s resistance to expansion of rights accorded to LGBTQ Americans.” (via POLITICO)

DAY SIX

The Biden administration issued an executive order to reverse the ban on transgender military service. With the executive order, thousands of transgender service members will not be forced to continue hiding their identities while serving in our military.

PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE

The Biden administration has announced historic nominations to high ranking positions, including Pete Buttigieg for Secretary for the Department of Transportation, to become the first openly LGBTQ, Senate-confirmed person to lead the department and hold a Cabinet-level position; and Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, to become the first openly transgender, Senate-confirmed official.

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