The congressional LGBT Equality Caucus penned an open letter to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris on Monday night, expressing their concerns with the lack of queer representation within the highest levels of government.
While the caucus, which is led by nine co-chairs, openly acknowledged the many promises the Biden administration has made to reverse many anti-LGBTQ+ policies put in place by the Trump administration, the challenges that members of the LGBTQ+ community will face under a Democratic administration were brought up . In the letter, the caucus notes the appointment of LGBTQ+ Americans to cabinet, senior staff and judiciary positions as “critical” during a time when the historic Obergefell Supreme Court ruling is under attack after the nomination of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
We strongly believe that LGBTQ+ Americans should have a seat at the table at the highest levels of your administration. As Democrats, we believe our strength lies in our diversity and that EVERY American deserves to be included
–LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
The letter also recognized the more than 150 LGBTQ+ candidates elected an “unprecedented Rainbow Wave” in 2018. The caucus wrote that while they hope to push Biden and his administration towards appointing more LGBTQ+ people and people of color, in high-profile roles, he has already scored some wins with the community.
Fulfilling his “commitment to building an administration that looks like America,” President-Elect Biden has nominated several LGBTQ+ people to his transition team, putting him on track to be the most LGBTQ+ inclusive cabinet in U.S. history. According to NBC News, Katherine Jean Pierre, who identifies as a lesbian, and was the chief of staff for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris during the campaign trail will serve as the deputy press secretary. She joins Pili Tobar, an immigration rights advocate who also identifies as lesbian,, who was named deputy White House communications director. Meanwhile, Carlos Elizondo, who is gay, was named White House social secretary in November.
The Equality Caucus argues that Cabinet-level representation is essential in showcasing the administration’s “commitment to full LGBTQ+ equality”. They are the latest group to apply pressure on the Biden administration’s dedication to diversity within the remaining Cabinet positions, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Urban League. In an interview with Philadelphia Gay News in October, Biden vowed to pass the Equality Act, which would guarantee LGBT protections under civil rights laws in the first 100 days, according to the Washington Post.
The caucus, addressing Biden and Harris, said they plan to recommend “experienced LGBTQ+ professionals” to the transition team at every level.
“Over the coming weeks, our team will continue to build upon President-elect Biden’s legacy of advancing LGBTQ+ equality,” Jamal Brown, a spokesperson for the Biden transition team, told Power Up in a statement. “By shaping a government that reflects the breadth and diversity of our nation.”
