Join Housing Saves Lives Campaign Week of Action: August 31 - September 4

Join NLIHC and the Housing Saves Lives campaign to oppose HUD’s anti-transgender rule in a Week of Action taking place today through September 4. The Trump administration is once again attacking LGBTQ people, this time by removing critical equal access protections and regulations for transgender people. The Administration’s proposed rule change to the Equal Access Rule is an egregious attempt to prevent transgender people from accessing federally funded emergency shelters and services (see Memo, 7/27). NLIHC partnered with over 50 local and national organization to form the Housing Saves Lives Campaign, which works to oppose the administration’s anti-transgender rule. The public comment period ends on September 22.

National events for the Week of Action:

Monday, August 31, 11 am ET: National Press Call

NLIHC will be hosting a National Press Call today at 11 am ET to discuss the administration’s discriminatory changes to the Equal Access Rule. Invited guest speakers include: Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), True Colors United Public Policy and External Affairs Director Dylan Waguespack, National Women’s Law Center Media Manager Gillian Branstetter, and NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. Please contact NLIHC’s Xavier Arriaga at [email protected] for more information.

Monday, August 31, ­­­­2 pm ET: National Webinar: “Take Action for the Housing Needs of Transgender Communities”

The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development will host a webinar with national partners from the housing and LGBTQ movement, as well as local Asian American and Pacific Islander transgender community leaders, for a discussion on housing, homelessness, and transgender community needs. Register at: https://bit.ly/32xL9TS

Tuesday, September 1, 11 am ET: National Twitterstorm

Join us on September 1 at 11 am ET for a national Twitterstorm. Use #HousingSavesLives to encourage individuals and organizations to submit their comments to oppose the rule change. Use the sample tweet below or go to HousingSavesLives.org for more talking points.

“We all pay the price when it comes to government-sanctioned discrimination. Share your comments and 🚨 ACTION ALERT! 🚨 We only have 60 days to tell Trump and @HUDGov that their plans to cut protections from our unhoused #trans siblings. Submit your comment now and tell them #HousingSavesLives! housingsaveslives.org

Wednesday, September 2, 2 pm ET: HUD Equal Access Rule and Youth Homelessness National Briefing

Youth CollaboratoryA Way Home America, and True Colors United will host a webinar on September 2 at 2 pm ET on the harmful changes to the Equal Access Rule, the impact on transgender young people and local programs, and actions you can take action to stop this dangerous proposal. Register at: https://bit.ly/3j5fJef

Thursday, September 3, Time 3 pm ET: National Briefing for Religious Leaders

Americans United for Separation of Church and State will host a legal advocacy briefing for religious leaders to take action in response to the HUD Anti-Trans Shelter Proposed Rule. Speakers include Sarah Hassmer, senior counsel-income security at the National Women's Law Center; Reverend Cedric Harmon, executive director of Many Voices; and Reverend Alex Patchin McNeill, executive director of More Light Presbyterians. Register at: https://bit.ly/2Ew4ywo

How You Can Get Involved

Host events during the week of action to help advocates submit as many comments as possible before the September 22 deadline.

Submit your public comment opposing the rule directly at HousingSavesLives.org

Share this Save the Date with your network and other advocates

Keep an eye out for updates and upcoming events from the Housing Saves Lives Campaign

For more information, please contact Xavier Arriaga, Policy Analyst, at [email protected]

Read the proposed rule at: https://bit.ly/3fVo5DL

Read NLIHC’s comparison of the texts of the proposed anti-transgender rule changes and the 2016 final rule at: https://bit.ly/3f5FWad

Read HUD’s anti-transgender proposed rule change to the Equal Access Rule: https://bit.ly/3ed2JjR

Read the joint press statement from NLIHC and other Housing Saves Lives partners opposing HUD’s anti-transgender rule here: https://bit.ly/2CWWWBS

Visit HousingSavesLives.org to submit your comment opposing the rule and to keep up with the latest news and resources.