USDA adds ‘gender identity’ to non-discrimination rule
July 16, 2014 | 06:33 PM
The Agriculture Department today released a final rule that extends non-discrimination protections to transgender and gender non-conforming participants in many USDA services and programs.
The rule amends the existing USDA non-discrimination rule, 7 C.F.R. 15(d), to add “gender identity” as a prohibited basis for discrimination in programs or activities conducted by USDA. The regulation already includes prohibitions against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and marital status.
This regulation governs all USDA “conducted programs,” which refers to those programs administered directly by the agency with no third-party involvement, noted the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
“This includes crucial loan programs like those designed to help low-income families buy and maintain homes in rural communities,” the center said.
“This rule is a reflection of the strong and longstanding commitment held by USDA and the Obama administration to serve all people and their families living in rural communities, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Joe Leonard Jr.
“LGBT people are a part of every community in this country — including rural communities served by USDA — and we are grateful to our partners at USDA for ensuring that their crucial services and programs are accessible to all people,” said Maya Rupert, the center’s policy director. “We look forward to continuing to work with USDA to make sure that no one is left behind in this fight for equality.”
USDA has formed a partnership with NCLR and the True Colors Fund to launch the #RuralPride campaign to increase awareness of the needs of LGBT people living in rural communities and small towns.
The rule amends the existing USDA non-discrimination rule, 7 C.F.R. 15(d), to add “gender identity” as a prohibited basis for discrimination in programs or activities conducted by USDA. The regulation already includes prohibitions against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and marital status.
This regulation governs all USDA “conducted programs,” which refers to those programs administered directly by the agency with no third-party involvement, noted the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
“This includes crucial loan programs like those designed to help low-income families buy and maintain homes in rural communities,” the center said.
“This rule is a reflection of the strong and longstanding commitment held by USDA and the Obama administration to serve all people and their families living in rural communities, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Joe Leonard Jr.
“LGBT people are a part of every community in this country — including rural communities served by USDA — and we are grateful to our partners at USDA for ensuring that their crucial services and programs are accessible to all people,” said Maya Rupert, the center’s policy director. “We look forward to continuing to work with USDA to make sure that no one is left behind in this fight for equality.”
USDA has formed a partnership with NCLR and the True Colors Fund to launch the #RuralPride campaign to increase awareness of the needs of LGBT people living in rural communities and small towns.
