U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held a recent Pride Summit attended by a number of leaders form the Biden administration and leaders from throughout the LGBTQI+ community.
This event was intended to spotlight the administration’s efforts, including improved access to healthcare, health equality, civil rights and support for identity affirmation, according to a June 26 HHS news release.
“We are facing daunting challenges right now – with some politicians spewing hateful rhetoric and imposing restrictions against the LGBTQI+ community,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the HHS news release. “But, thanks to the leadership of President Biden, I am confident we will make it through this moment.”
Becerra also spotlighted the administration’s support for promoting helath equality, gender-affirming care and protecting LGBTQI+ rights, while also focusing on the agency’s events during Pride Month, the release reported.
Other administration officials participating in the summit included House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, SAMHSA Policy Lab Director Brian Altman, White House Deputy National Mpox Coordinator Demetre Daskalakis, HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, HHS Office of Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer, SAMHSA Policy Lab Director Brian Altman HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden, Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, Office of National AIDS Policy Director Harold Phillips and Senior Advisor for LGBTQI+ Health Equity at OASH Adrian Shanker, according to the release.
Several outside participants were involved in the event, including Casey Pick, director of Law and Policy for the Trevor Project; Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign; Julie Seaver, executive director of the Compass LGBTQ Community Center of Florida; Arli Christian, trans justice strategist from the American Civil Liberties Union; Imani Rupert-Gordon, executive director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights; Robert Salcido, Center-Pride Center San Antonio’s executive director; and Kelley Blair, who founded the Diversity Center of Oklahoma, the release said.
Becerra also spoke to a national coalition of health care professionals that provide gender-affirming care to the LGBTQI+ community, highlighting his support for their efforts, the release reported.
