Press Release
☷USDA Promotes Program Access Combats Discrimination Against LGBTQI+ Community
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
May 05,2022
| 55| 1
WASHINGTON , May 5 , 2022 – The U . S . Department of Agriculture’s ( USDA ) Food and Nutrition Service ( FNS ) announced today that it will interpret the prohibition on discrimination based on sex found in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 , and in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 , as amended , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) , formerly the Food Stamp Program ( 7 USC § 2011 et seq . ) , to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity . Under the leadership of the Biden - Harris Administration , USDA and FNS are issuing this interpretation to help ensure its programs are open , accessible and help promote food and nutrition security , regardless of demographics . This action is in line with President Biden’s Executive Order on Preventing and Combatting Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation , and is consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v . Clayton County , in which the Court held that the prohibition on sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity . This action is also in line with the USDA’s efforts to promote nutrition security , which is the consistent access to safe , healthy , affordable food essential to optimal health and well - being . Nutrition security places an emphasis on advancing equity to ensure all Americans have access to nutritious foods that promote health and well - being regardless of race , ethnicity , identity or background . “USDA is committed to administering all its programs with equity and fairness , and serving those in need with the highest dignity . A key step in advancing these principles is rooting out discrimination in any form – including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity , ” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack . “At the same time , we must recognize the vulnerability of the LGBTQI+ communities and provide them with an avenue to grieve any discrimination they face . We hope that by standing firm against these inequities we will help bring about much - needed change . ”As a result , state and local agencies , program operators and sponsors that receive funds from FNS must investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation . Those organizations must also update their non - discrimination policies and signage to include prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation . Nutrition disparities negatively impact health , productivity and overall well - being for too many in the U . S . FNS recognizes that equitable nutrition assistance means that every American – regardless of identity or background – can access the food they need to thrive . Historically , the LGBTQI+ community has faced striking economic and social disparities , such as higher rates of poverty , unemployment and nutrition insecurity . For example , according to the U . S . Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey , more than 13% of LGBTQ respondents lived in a household that experienced food insecurity , compared to 7 . 2% of non - LGBTQ adult respondents . This survey also found food insufficiency – not always having enough food to eat – to be three times as common among transgender individuals ( nearly 24% of respondents ) as compared to cisgender individuals ( 8 . 3% of respondents ) . “Whether you are grocery shopping , standing in line at the school cafeteria , or picking up food from a food bank , you should be able to do so without fear of discrimination , ” said Food , Nutrition , and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean . “No one should be denied access to nutritious food simply because of who they are or how they identify . ”Today’s notice further affirms USDA’s efforts to dismantle barriers that historically underserved communities have faced in accessing its programs and services . This action protects the civil rights of LGBTQI+ people while complementing USDA’s ongoing efforts to advance equity and access in its nutrition programming . For more information on USDA’s equity efforts , visit usda . gov/equity . USDA’s Non - discrimination Statement can be found at fns . usda . gov/cr/fns - nondiscrimination - statement . USDA’s Bostock Memo can be found at fns . usda . gov/cr/crd - 01 - 2022 . USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways . In the Biden - Harris Administration , USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production , ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities , building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices , making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America , and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America . To learn more , visit www . usda . gov . #USDA is an equal opportunity provider , employer , and lender .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
