Biden Announces Executive Order to Regulate 'Transgender Discrimination Bills'

Legislative Restrictions on LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Including Conversion Therapy Ban
To Be Announced at White House 'LGBTQ+ Pride Month' Event

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] The White House announced that President Biden will sign an executive order on the 15th (local time) to promote the human rights of sexual minorities (LGBTQI+). According to the White House statement on the 15th (local time), the executive order will include provisions to regulate discriminatory legislation against sexual minorities and to prevent "conversion therapy."

The White House stated, "More than 300 bills discriminatory against sexual minorities were submitted to state legislatures over the past year, the majority of which target transgender children and their parents, preventing them from accessing medical treatment and support." Currently, Arizona, Alabama, and Texas have passed laws regulating gender reassignment surgery or gender affirming care.

In response, President Biden urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to guarantee the rights of LGBTQI+ children and families to access medical services and to release policy examples that states can use to expand access to medical services for sexual minorities. The Department of Education was tasked with identifying examples of school policies that ensure inclusive education, including for sexual minority students.

Additionally, the White House stated, "Biden promised to eliminate 'conversion therapy' since his candidacy," and "Today, the President will exercise executive authority to strictly crack down on this harmful practice and implement plans to protect American children." The Korean Sexual Minority Culture and Human Rights Center defines conversion therapy as "an attempt to forcibly change sexual orientation or gender identity."

According to the executive order, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will prohibit organizations that expose individuals to conversion therapy from receiving federal funds and will issue guidelines to provide necessary support to individuals exposed to such therapy. President Biden also instructed the Secretary of State and the Treasury Department to take measures to eradicate conversion therapy.

The White House emphasized, "Today's statement builds on the historic progress of the Biden-Harris administration in promoting LGBTQI+ rights," highlighting the current administration's efforts to protect sexual minority rights. President Biden is scheduled to announce the executive order at a Pride Month celebration event held at the White House this afternoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.