The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is withdrawing a Trump-era policy that would have allowed taxpayer-funded homeless shelters to deny access to transgender people, a Minneapolis Star-Tribune item noted.
The move is partially symbolic, as the proposed policy never truly took hold and was still being hotly debated when former President Donald Trump lost his bid for re-election.
One of current President Joe Biden's first actions after taking office was signing a Jan. 20 executive order on combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
"The Trump Administration left a long legacy of devastating attacks on trans Americans and their families, and we praise Secretary Fudge's leadership in taking necessary steps to preserve and implement the Equal Access Rule," said Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David in a statement sent to Windy City Times. "LBGTQ people, especially those from communities of color, already face discrimination at unacceptably high rates. Trans and non-binary people are significantly more likely to be experiencing homelessness, and consequences from that experience, especially for young people, can last a lifetime.
"Safe housing is an essential right for every American, no matter their gender identity, and we celebrate HUD's decision to preserve and implement the Equal Access Rule and protect trans lives across our country."
In a separate statement, National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter said, "We are thrilled to see [the] announcement, which is further confirmation that this administration is committed to ensuring that LGBTQ people are not turned away from federally funded services and programs. Access to homeless shelters is often a matter of survival for trans people, who are more likely to be homeless, to lack secure housing, and to be the victims of domestic violence."