The DC Center is proud to be a part of the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition. Being led by LGBTQ+ providers and leaders, the coalition is made up of representatives from LGBTQ+ and ally organizations to put pressure on Mayor Bowser and Chairman Mendelson in including LGBTQ+ issues into the 2022 budget. By ensuring that LGBTQ+ issues are a funding priority, it will allow for the expansion and protection of vital resources for the community in the D.C. area.
2020 was an incredibly difficult year. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community experienced financial disruption, housing insecurity, and an overall loss of community. Our community also experiences higher rates of poverty and food insecurity than the general population. As LGBTQ+ households – especially those headed by Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ people – continue to be disproportionately harmed by the pandemic, additional relief is necessary to support basic necessities for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
The coalition has four major areas of focus: Housing, LGBTQ+ Community Advocates & Coordinators, LGBTQ+ Resource & Community Center, and Commitment to Transgender/GNC Workforce. By focusing on housing, the coalition hopes to expand resources for LGBTQ+ people, particularly victims of domestic violence, Transgender/GNC folks, and seniors, by creating sustainable and permanent housing options. The LGBTQ+ Community Advocates & Coordinators section deals with allocating funds to realize the benefits of planned but not yet implemented programs and unfilled positions. The coalition also hopes to put into place a plan for a LGBTQ+ community center to ensure local LGBTQ+ organizations are in a central and accessible area. Lastly, the coalition requests to expand the Transgender/GNC workforce grant program for individuals over the age of 24 to aid those experiencing employment discrimination. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we place pressure on politicians to ensure the needs of our community are met.
We ask for people to join The DC Center and other LGBTQ+ organizations in securing these budget requests. For more information on the coalition and to learn ways you can support, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/dclgbtqbudget/home