On November 1, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new rule allowing discrimination in all HHS programs against LGBTQ+ people, youth in LGBTQ+ families, and, in some cases, those who don’t share a provider’s religious beliefs. Click here to make your voice heard now! It is urgent that we take action in the next 30 days!
This means, for example, that:
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Adoption and foster care agencies could refuse to place a child in foster care with a same-sex couple or an LGBTQ+ family member.
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A child-placing agency could refuse to work with parents who don’t share their religious beliefs.
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Children in foster care who are LGBTQ+ or don’t share the provider’s religious beliefs could be denied needed services and could be subjected to conversion therapy.
On November 19, the 30-day public comment period began. This means that we only have one month to create a wave of opposition to this proposed rule.
For more information about this rule and some sample talking points, click here.
For a downloadable info-sheet about the rule, click here.
In your comment, consider including the following information:
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Explain why you think protecting LGBTQ people and families from discrimination is important.
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Explain why you think providers’ religious beliefs should not be prioritized over the needs of children in foster care.
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Ask HHS to abandon this rule, and keep existing nondiscrimination rules in place that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion.
