FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2020
CONTACTS:
Christopher Vasquez, NCLR Communications Director
415.365.1337 | cvasquez@nclrights.org
Initiative encourages the White House during the next presidential term to address the systemic barriers to social and economic justice for LGBTQ+ people with low incomes, as well as convene an inter-agency LGBTQ+ Anti-Poverty Task Force
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The National LGBTQ Anti-Poverty Action Network (the Network) launched a new campaign that urges presidential candidates to address issues of LGBTQ+ poverty in the United States. The National Center for Lesbian Rights and Justice Work at The Vaid Group co-coordinate the Network with over 100 member organizations and advocates.
As part of the bold new initiative, the Network released a two page “LGBTQ+ Priorities for the Next Presidential Term” memo highlighting concrete steps the White House can take to dismantle barriers to social and economic justice for LGBTQ+ people. The recommendations include investing in LGBTQ+ communities, strengthening anti-poverty programs, and fighting discrimination.
“It’s time for politicians to understand that being an LGBTQ+ ally means fighting for the poor,” said Tyrone Hanley, NCLR Senior Policy Counsel and Network Co-Coordinator. “Far too often, politicians ignore the challenges faced by LGBTQ people and families struggling to make ends meet. Today’s campaign launch emphasizes the need for elected officials – including the president – to understand and prioritize the needs of low-income LGBTQ+ folks. As proven to us by Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Barbara Smith, and Queers for Economic Justice, fighting for LGBTQ+ liberation means fighting for economic justice.”
“Now is the time, as our nation grapples with the economic ruin of a global pandemic, to have bold federal leadership – leadership that invests in LGBTQ+ communities, leadership that champions programs that uplift our most vulnerable, leadership that understands that effective reform requires direct targeted action,” said Johanna Sanders, Director of Policy & Organizing at The Vaid Group and Network Co-Coordinator.
LGBTQ+ people and families are more likely to be living in poverty and participate in federal anti-poverty programs than the general population. Additionally, LGBTQ+ people also face compounded discrimination based on intersecting identities due to systemic racism, xenophobia, sexism, and ableism. The White House must prioritize addressing LGBTQ+ poverty during the next presidential term.
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The National LGBTQ Anti-Poverty Action Network (the Network) is a member-based coalition of over 100 national, state, and local organizations working in the LGBTQ+, anti- poverty, and anti-hunger movements to increase awareness about and action on LGBTQ+ poverty. As we approach the next presidential term, the Network is championing priorities across federal departments and agencies.
Justice Work at The Vaid Group is a think tank/action lab that develops and builds community interventions using research and data analysis, community engagement, organizing, consultation, convening, network building, policy development- crafting solutions from practice. These interventions are dedicated to advancing racial, gender, economic and climate equity and are grounded in partnership with front-line organizations working in the substantive areas in which we focus. https://thevaidgroup.com/justicework/
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. https://www.nclrights.org