Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment which would prohibit HUD from continuing to carry out an existing rule that ensures that all individuals have equal access to many of HUD's core shelter programs in accordance with their gender identity. I am not sure why my colleagues are so intent on targeting such a vulnerable population, but I find it unconscionable. This amendment would do serious harm to our efforts to protect one of the most vulnerable populations, LGBTQ youth, who comprise up to 40 percent of the homeless youth population and who are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. These young people are at an incredibly high risk of abuse on the streets. A study by True Colors United found that among homeless transgender youth: 75 percent had been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; 25 percent had been victims of intimate partner violence; and 20 percent had been victims of sexual exploitation or trafficking. In addition, LGBTQ youth are two to three times more likely to commit suicide. Transgender youth also have high levels of HIV/AIDS, mental health problems, and substance abuse disorders. When these young people arrive at a shelter, they are not a safety risk to others. They are desperate for help. We should be doing everything that we can to make sure these alternatives exist to living on the streets, and then when they ask for help, they are not turned away.…”