The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition was one of many groups working across the country on behalf of this legislation which is the first law ever enacted by the Federal government that provides explicit coverage for transgender people, as well as for lesbian, gay, or bisexual people.

We applaud all who worked hard over the past several years tosecure adoption of this vital legislation which will now make it a federal crime to assault a person based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

This law will provide victims of hate crimes the opportunity to seek justice in federal courts.

We now challenge members of the Tennessee General Assembly to adopt HB0335, by Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis)/SB0253 by Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis) which would add “gender identity or expression” to Tennessee’s Hate Crimes statute. Currently, Tennessee is one of 38 states which does not provide protection for transgender residents. The rash of hate crimes against transgender persons, especially against African American transgender women in Memphis, make passage of this bill even more important here. Having an additional tool available to victims will make life safer for everyone and send a message that the lives of transgender people in Tennessee have value too.

Once again, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition thanks all who worked on behalf of the new federal law, especially those who rejected the claims that adding transgender people would be a bad “strategy.”

The vote this morning was 64 to 35. We are, however, extremely disappointed that both of Tennessee’s Senators, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, chose to vote No, despite the plethora of Hate Crimes against LGBT people, and especially against African American Transwomen, in Tennessee.

Hate Crimes legislation will be the first positive bill covering transgender, as well as lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, ever to reach the desk of the President of the United States. We look forward to seeing President Barack Obama sign this important piece of legislation into law.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition also recognizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which announced plans yesterday to establish the nation’s first National Resource Center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

According to HHS statistics, estimates are that as many as 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older. Agencies that provide services to older individuals may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the needs of this group of individuals. The new Resource Center for LGBT Elders will provide information, assistance and resources for both LGBT organizations and mainstream aging services providers at the state and community level to assist them in the development and provision of culturally sensitive supports and services. The LGBT Center will also be available to educate the LGBT community about the importance of planning ahead for future long term care needs.

The LBGT Resource Center will help community-based organizations understand the unique needs and concerns of older LGBT individuals and assist them in implementing programs for local service providers, including providing help to LGBT caregivers who are providing care for an older partner with health or other challenges.

Finally, TTPC also applauds the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which also annouced yesterday a series of proposals to ensure that HUD programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity as well as the first-ever nationwide survey of housing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. This historic announcement explicitly addresses discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time by a federal agency.

According to the HUD announcement, the proposed rule by HUD will make three important changes to federal regulations. First, it includes language that ensures LGBT families are recognized and covered by HUD programs, including affordable housing assistance. Second it requires organizations that administer HUD grants to abide by state and local laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Third it prohibits consideration of factors other than creditworthiness, including sexual orientation and gender identity, in the awarding of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

All three of these actions from the Nation’s Capitol are major steps forward in ensuring that LGBT individuals and families are treated fairly and with respect across the nation.
We thank all who made this possible.