Today, Pete Buttigieg released his plan ‘Becoming Whole: A New Era for LGBTQ+ Americans,’ a comprehensive policy that brings Americans together to break down the walls of exclusion and secure full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. With a plan grounded in the real lived experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans, Buttigieg’s plan covers issues of Equality, Health, Youth and Families, Community, Justice, Honor, and Leadership.
“Twenty years ago, an awkward teenager at St. Joe High, who didn’t know a single out LGBTQ+ student there, never would have imagined how far we would come,” said Buttigieg. “And yet discrimination and the ever-present fear of it continue to govern aspects of LGBTQ+ people’s lives who question if they can be who they are and keep their job, or come out at school knowing they might be bullied for it. When I’m President, we will implement solutions bold enough to meet the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces while bringing the American people together to understand that our freedoms are bound up in each other.”
Under a Buttigieg Administration, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities will be supported in every aspect of their daily lives, from equitable health care to workplace protections to a new national mentorship program that will build up a sense of belonging among LGBTQ+ youth. As president, Pete will ensure anti-discrimintation is the law of the land and work to put an end to the violence that is taking the lives of transgender Americans.
Pete’s plan will ensure that LGBTQ+ people can live a life free from discrimination or harrasment with policies that:
•Launch the We Belong National Mentorship Program for LGBTQ+ youth, which will call on leaders in the public and private sectors to mentor and strengthen the sense of belonging they need to thrive.
•Improve access to and quality of health care for LGBTQ+ people.
•End the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 by restoring investments into researching a cure and ensuring access to affordable medication.
•Protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying by providing resources for school districts to develop training programs to support students targeted by harassment.
•End “conversion therapy.”
•Ban medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants and children.
•Protect the rights of all LGBTQ+ families by prohibiting discrimination against adoptive and foster parents and passing the FAMILY ACT to provide 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave to care for a new child or sick loved one, including chosen family members.
•End youth homelessness as part of a comprehensive housing agenda.
•Ensure the safety of all LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender women of color, by vigorously enforcing hate crimes prevention laws and properly training law enforcement.
•Rescind the transgender military ban and grant honorable discharges and appropriate benefits to the over 13,000 veterans discharged solely based on being LGBTQ+.
•Lead on LGBTQ+ rights around the globe, including by strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees.
•Celebrate LGBTQ+ history and culture, including by expanding the representation of LGBTQ+ people and history in our National Parks System.
Read his full plan HERE.
