WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2020) — Today, PFLAG National joined a coalition of 183 national, state, and local organizations to send a letter to Congressional leaders asking that they ensure the protection of vulnerable communities in any COVID-19 response legislation. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread rapidly throughout the U.S., communities of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people are among those who will be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Many in these communities rely on assistance from government programs, services, and benefits, and discrimination in COVID-19 response would exacerbate existing health and economic inequities by allowing qualified members of these vulnerable communities to be turned away on the basis of arbitrary factors, including age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, immigration status, or religion.  

“Our families and LGBTQ+ loved ones are people of color, people with disabilities, women, youth and elders, religious, secular, and living on the brink in this uncertain time and waning economy. PFLAG National calls on our elected leaders to include language to explicitly prohibit discrimination in all COVID-19 bills,” said Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National. “All people, inclusive of our LGBTQ+ loved ones, deserve equitable protection under the law.”

The letter asks Congressional leaders to include specific language that prohibits such discrimination in all programs funded by COVID-19 response legislation. Read the full press release.

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ABOUT PFLAG

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed. To learn more, visit pflagchapters.wpenginepowered.com, like us on Facebook (/pflag), or follow us on Twitter (@pflag) or Instagram (@pflag).