From the White House:U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and Deputy Secretary Ron Sims joined Congressman Barney Frank today in hosting the first event in twelve years to recognize HUD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) employees.
"At HUD, we not only want the unique differences every employee brings to the workplace - to fulfill our mission of providing safe, affordable housing to every American, we absolutely need them," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Whether it is federal benefits that celebrate the values of all families, a tough non-discrimination policy that ensures we at HUD are respectful to one another, or a Diversity Council that ensures our department represents a broad cross-section of America, HUD is committed to making sure our LGBT community not only recognizes that they are welcome at HUD - but are essential to everything we do."
This celebration occurred less than a week after President Obama signed a Memorandum regarding Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination. This historic memorandum authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to extend benefits to same-sex domestic partners that do not require legislative change, like long-term care insurance for same-sex domestic partners of federal employees. This memorandum paves the way for equality for the government's dedicated public servants who have been denied basic rights on the basis of their sexual orientation.
To implement the President's memorandum, Secretary Donovan has ordered that for the next 90 days HUD leadership teams conduct a review on where HUD can extend federal benefits to employees with same sex partners. Additionally, the Secretary signed a non-discrimination policy that expressly discusses non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation from all HUD program offices making it easier to develop solutions to employees' potential questions and concerns. Finally, HUD has created a Diversity Council that will ensure that there is coordination and accountability in HUD's efforts to continue to attract and retain a diverse pool of talented employees.
In his speech, Secretary Donovan referenced progress on LGBT issues at the department: "In 1993 HUD welcomed the first openly lesbian or gay public official whose appointment to a federal position was confirmed by the United States Senate: Roberta Achtenberg, who served our country and our department as Assistant Secretary here at HUD. That tradition will be furthered by two nominees currently before the US Senate: Raphael Bostic, nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Policy Development, and Research and Mercedes Márquez, our nominee for Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development."
Eddie Eitches, President of AFGE Local 476, noted that in 1990 HUD and AFGE successfully negotiated a non-discrimination clause that went beyond Federal statutes: "No discrimination will be tolerated on the basis of sexual preference and or orientation." In addition, the contractual definition of family member includes those "related by affinity whose close association with an employee is the equivalent of a family relationship." AFGE supports efforts to provide complete equality for HUD's GLBT employees as well as those who benefit from HUD programs.
