LGBTQ Parenting Roundup
Here’s some of the news about LGBTQ parents and our families that I haven’t covered separately, from reflections on parenting to political news and more. Have a read and be informed!
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Proposed Federal Rules Would Ban Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth in Every State
The Trump administration has proposed two new rules that would effectively ban gender-affirming care for all transgender youth, even in states where such care is legal. Here’s what you can do to try and stop them.
Biden Administration Affirms LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Protections in Health Care and Child Welfare
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Biden has released new regulations affirming nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in health care and for LGBTQ youth in foster care, and requiring access to foster care placements that are supportive of a child’s LGBTQI+ status or identity.
HHS Issues Guidance “Unequivocally” Supporting Gender Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has issued guidance stating that it is illegal to deny minors gender affirming care when “medically appropriate and necessary,” and directing the HHS Office for Civil Rights to investigate violations of the applicable laws.
Lesbian Sues HHS for Funding Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination in Foster Care
A lesbian who wants to become a foster parent for a child in a taxpayer-funded program for unaccompanied refugee children was unable to do so because the government is working through an agency that discriminates against LGBTQ people. Now she’s suing.
Rachel Levine Becomes First Transgender Person Confirmed by Senate (and She’s a Parent, Too!)
Dr. Rachel Levine yesterday became the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate and the country’s highest-ranking transgender official. Levine, who has two grown children, will be the assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Biden Administration Agrees to Delay, Review HHS Rule that Discriminated in Foster Care, Adoption, and Other Services
After a lawsuit brought by LGBTQ organizations and a foster youth and alumni group, the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has agreed to delay implementing a Trump-era rule that would have allowed taxpayer-funded foster care and adoption agencies and other health and social service organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ people and others. This will allow the administration time to review the rule and potentially change or nullify it.
Biden Nominates Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, a Transgender Parent, as Assistant Secretary for Health
President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, who has led the state’s COVID-19 response, as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Levine, a transgender woman, is also the parent of two grown children. Her nomination comes days after President Trump’s HHS finalized a rule that would allow schools to misgender and discriminate against transgender students. Do you sense change?
Trump’s HHS Finalizes Rule Allowing Discrimination in Foster Care, Adoption, and Other Social Services
Not letting a little thing like insurrection stop them, the Trump administration on Thursday finalized a rule that will allow foster care and adoption agencies, along with other public health and social service organizations receiving taxpayer funds, to discriminate against LGBTQ people and others.
LGBTQ Parenting Year in Review: 2019
This past year saw many challenges to LGBTQ equality—but there was still some progress. Let’s review the parenting-specific news of the year, both good and bad.