LGBT Focus

LGBT Focus

Erika Poethig, Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research As summer unfolds and people enjoy time with family and friends, I want to take a moment to wish everyone Happy Pride. I have many fond memories of celebrating Pride Parades in my hometown of Chicago, which takes the Parade weekend very seriously. If you’ve not had a chance to read President Obama’s proclamation designating June 2012 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, I encourage you to do so. In the proclamation, the president articulates many of the landmark LGBT successes of this Administration and “call(s) upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.” Here at HUD, we have taken a leading role in advancing equality for LGBT Americans and I’m proud to work alongside so many talented colleagues who care about this issue as much as I do.

Last week I had the privilege of accepting an inaugural GLOBE Pride award on behalf of PD&R at Progress in Ensuring Decent Housing and a Suitable Living Environment for All, HUD’s annual Pride forum sponsored by HUD Globe, the association of LGBT Federal employees. GLOBE recognized PD&R specifically for our groundbreaking LGBT housing discrimination study and our first-ever LGBT elder housing summit. The award celebrates the committed work of many PD&R staff and the leadership of former Assistant Secretary Raphael Bostic, who was a leader on this issue across the Administration. What was perhaps most inspiring about the event was the palpable realization of how much progress we’re making on the LGBT equality front.

Under the leadership of Secretary Donovan, this agency has made furthering LGBT equality a priority and has achieved an impressive string of successes. One of the most significant victories occurred in March when we promulgated the LGBT Housing Rule in the Federal Register. This rule ensures that HUD’s housing programs are open to all Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. In December, we partnered with HHS and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) to host an inaugural federal summit addressing issues for LGBT seniors, an often overlooked community that experiences discrimination in ever increasing numbers. Many who participated have expressed a desire to use this summit as a model to emulate. The White House continued the conversation with its LGBT Conference on Aging in May with sizable input from HUD. We are also eagerly awaiting results from our national Housing Discrimination Survey, which for the first-time ever incorporated questions regarding discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing.

The issue of LGBT equality is one that I hope all of us will continue to embrace. Thank you for your commitment to this effort. On behalf of PD&R and HUD, I’m proud of the work we’ve started and will continue to pursue as we strive to improve the lives of all Americans.