Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)
EAGAN, MN – This week, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04) Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Judy Chu (CA-28) delivered a letter signed by 23 House Democrats opposing the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) rescission of a Biden-era rule aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ foster youth have access to safe and affirming placements. The members urged Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to put forth an alternative rule.
Previous designated placement policy required states to maintain an adequate number of foster placements that support and affirm LGBTQ+ foster youth. Rescinding the rule without a replacement removes key protections ensuring access to safe, appropriate placements. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and face higher risks of harm, while evidence shows affirming placements significantly improve their mental health and well-being. Eliminating the rule, in conjunction with other actions limiting LGBTQ+-focused services, undermines agencies’ ability to meet legal obligations and puts vulnerable youth at greater risk.
“This move is the Trump Administration’s latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community,” said Rep. Craig. “Every child deserves a loving, supportive and safe home. The decision to rescind the designated placement rule with no clear alternative puts already-vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth at risk of further harm. HHS needs to propose an alternative rule immediately.”
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. Research overwhelmingly shows that LGBTQ+ foster youth have better mental health and well-being outcomes when placed with affirming caregivers,” said Rep. Chu. “That’s why the Trump administration’s recission of the Designated Placement Rule is so harmful. This rule helped ensure that more LGBTQ+ foster youth get placed in supportive, stable, caring environments where they can thrive. This harmful decision puts the most vulnerable youth in our society at even greater risk, all in service to Republicans’ extremist, anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. It’s cruel, indefensible, and we are fighting back.”
“As someone who started my career working with young women, non-binary, and trans youth who were impacted by the juvenile justice and foster care systems, I believe strongly that all foster youth, including LGBTQ+ foster children, deserve the chance to be placed where they will be safe, affirmed, and supported,” said Rep. Simon, Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “No child should fear for their bodily or mental safety. I am united with Representatives Craig, Chu, Davis, and Moore in our strong opposition of the Trump administration’s rollback of policy that ensured the safety, security, and protection of LGBTQ+ foster youth.”
“Every child deserves a safe and loving home, no matter how they identify. In fact, federal law requires the federal government to ensure that all children in foster care receive safe and proper care which this rule helped accomplish,” said Rep. Moore. “LGBTQI+ foster youth are particularly vulnerable to failed foster placements due to a caregiver’s hostility towards their sexual orientation or gender identity. The designated placement rule helps ensure these foster youth are placed in supportive, reaffirming environments in an effort to ensure their safety and prosperity. It is cruel to rescind this rule and we are calling on Secretary Kennedy to reverse his decision and support policy that lifts up LGBTQI+ foster youth.”
“Government has a unique responsibility to ensure that each and every child in foster care finds a loving, affirming family,” said Rep. Davis. “The Designated Placement Rule helps ensure that LGBTQI+ foster youth can join supportive environments where they can flourish. The Trump Administration’s rescission of this rule prioritizes prejudice at the expense of the safety and well-being of foster youth. As one who grew up in the segregated south, I understand first-hand the profoundly detrimental effects of discrimination, and I proudly join with my colleagues to fight this injustice.”
Rep. Craig has spoken out against prior HHS actions against LGBTQ+ youth and has championed legislation to protect LGBTQ+ foster youth since arriving in Congress.
Earlier this Congress, Rep. Craig helped re-introduce the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which prevents discrimination in America’s adoption and foster care systems. The bill also improves services for LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services.
Representative Craig was the first LGBTQ+ mother and grandmother in Congress and serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. She is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act.
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