The Administration’s Religious Liberty Assault on LGBTQ Rights

CHAIRWOMAN MALONEY'S OPENING STATEMENT

CHAIRMAN RASKIN'S OPENING STATEMENT

BACKGROUND

• Since inauguration day, the Trump Administration has worked to purge all mentions of LGBTQ rights and has proceeded to systematically roll back protections for LGBTQ people across the board.
• The Trump Administration has expanded the availability of religious exemptions to the point at which religious liberty has become a pretext and excuse for denying LGBTQ citizens the ability to participate equally in the economy and society.
• The Trump Administration has used executive orders, litigating decisions, amicus briefs, legal interpretations, and agency guidance and regulations to undermine protections for LGBTQ people.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE

The Trump Administration has undermined LGBTQ rights by rolling back protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as by allowing for more religious exemptions to a broader expanse of organizations to allow discriminatory practices against LGBTQ individuals. This hearing will examine the Administration’s actions to erode LGBTQ rights in multiple areas, including healthcare, employment, adoption, and foster care.