The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, Division 44 of the American Psychological Association (APA), applauds President Biden’s June 15, 2022 Executive Order on Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals.1
While lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people have seen a significant increase in human rights and protections in recent years, several trends in state level legislation are cause for concern. Recent legislative sessions have seen the erosion of rights and protections for LGBTQI+ people at the state level, with transgender youth being particularly targeted.2 Further, due to existing systemic inequities, the erosion of rights and protections disproportionately negatively impact LGBTQI+ people of color and their families.3,4
The executive order signed by President Biden is broad and extensive, offering a multitude of protections for LGBTQI+ people in a number of domains, including but not limited to: mental health care, child welfare agencies, the foster care system, healthcare, education, housing, and services for the elderly. In addition to bolstering services in these vital areas, the executive order further provides structural and institutional supports for the documentation of LGBTQI+ people, which is vital for identifying disparities and inequities.
Richard A. Sprott, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, highlighted the importance of supportive measures for LGBTQI+ people: “Actions and attitudes at the policy level have direct impact on the health and well-being of individuals and families, with policies protecting rights creating positive impact and policies restricting rights creating negative impacts. The state level legislative proposals and enacted laws that specifically limit opportunities for youth and mandate disrespect for the voices for youth and their families is especially concerning.”
At a time when LGBTQI+ people are under legislative attack in multiple parts of the country, this executive order signifies a commitment to supporting LGBTQI+ people. Research consistently demonstrates that policies which provide protections and expansion of rights for LGBTQI+ people significantly improves mental and physical health outcomes, reduces the likelihood of developing a substance abuse problem or mental illness, and overall substantially improves the well-being of LGBTQI+ people and their families.5