Human Rights Campaign Warns of Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism in Congressional Appropriations

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, has released a report highlighting the growing threat of anti-LGBTQ+ extremism in the Congressional appropriations process. The report, "Power of the Purse: Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism in the Congressional Appropriations Process," reveals how anti-LGBTQ+ members of Congress are using critical appropriations bills to push a divisive agenda that ignores the views of 80% of Americans who support LGBTQ+ rights.

Key Takeaways:

• The report identifies 12 anti-LGBTQ+ riders in the current Congressional appropriations bill, including provisions that limit access to gender-affirming care, give businesses and individuals a license to discriminate, and ban drag shows and Pride flags on government buildings.
• House Republicans have stripped funding for LGBTQ+ community centers and housing for LGBTQ+ seniors, forcing these organizations to operate without critical support.
• The appropriations process has been turned into a farce, threatening a government shutdown and undermining critical funding for programs that address the needs of the country.
• The Human Rights Campaign has declared a State of Emergency, citing an unprecedented spike in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation sweeping state houses.
• More than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year, with over 80 signed into law, more than doubling last year's number.

David Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs at HRC, stated, "Make no mistake: House Republicans are hurting real people instead of doing their jobs."

Statistics:

• 12 anti-LGBTQ+ riders in the current Congressional appropriations bill
• 80% of Americans believe that LGBTQ+ people should be able to live lives free from discrimination
• 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures this year
• More than 80 anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law this year
• 115 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2015, compared to more than 500 in 2023

Sources:

• Human Rights Campaign, "Power of the Purse: Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism in the Congressional Appropriations Process" (July 2023)
• Human Rights Campaign, "State of Emergency" (2023)
• HRC-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Appropriations-Report.pdf
• www.hrc.org/press-releases/new-hrc-report-house-republicans-hijacked-by-radical-anti-lgbtq-members-use-critical-appropriations-bills-to-further-divisive-culture-war