National LGBTQ Task Force Reaction to Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

March 11, 2022 - The following can be attributed to Liz Seaton, Policy Director, National LGBTQ Task Force

"The National LGBTQ Task Force announces that the bipartisan omnibus spending package President Biden signed today contains reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. From 2013 to 2019 when VAWA expired, it has prohibited discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity by those providing help to victims. While it does so much more, this Act creates the first grant program dedicated to expanding and developing initiatives specifically for LGBTQ domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Our sister organization, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, participated in a working group on bill language and advocated for its passage.

We must note that the omnibus package includes the unjust Hyde Amendment. It bars federal funding to cover most abortions, undermining reproductive justice and the bodily integrity of women and LGBTQ folx. This is especially true for especially Black and Brown people, people dependent for their health and survival on federal monies, and people living in poverty."