Pride Month

LGBTQ+ Pride Month Statement by Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO

Jun 24, 2021 | Theresa Spinner

“While Pride month is a time of celebration for so many, we know there is a long way to go. ”

Washington, DC, June 24, 2021 —This month, we at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), representing the nations nearly 3,000 local health departments, celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride, honor LGBTQ+ history and the efforts of LGBTQ+ leaders who pushed for equality at their own personal risk. We also want to recognize today’s generation of LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates working to eliminate all discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, including the many local health officials and staff who are dedicated to this work.

While Pride month is a time of celebration for so many, we know there is a long way to go. LGBTQ+ persons still report facing discrimination in areas including housing and employment. Transgender individuals in particular face a growing number of state laws that prevent them from leading their daily lives as other individuals. Moreover, FBI data show an alarming growth in violence against LGBTQ+ persons including continuing deadly assaults against transgender persons, particularly transgender persons of color. Discrimination and threats of violence lead to the significant health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ persons.

As public health professionals, we know we must continue to work to address these barriers and inequities. Based on social justice principles, NACCHO encourages local health departments to act on the injustices at the root of health inequities impacting LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and communities and honor diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. This work includes promoting the rights and health of LGBTQ+ communities through policies and practices that protect against discrimination and by offering culturally competent health services.

Additional ways local health departments can take action include:

  • Educating other local government agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and other stakeholders about health inequities and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and communities and support them in developing and implementing strategies to ensure programs and services are LGBTQ+ affirming.
  • Developing and implementing programs at the local level designed specifically to address inequities in health status among LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and communities.
  • Advocating for policies and ordinances at federal, state, and local levels that are inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression and prohibit all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

For more information, see NACCHO’s LGBTQ+ Health Policy Statement here.

###

About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.


National association of county and city health officials naccho squarelogo

About Theresa Spinner

Theresa Spinner is the Director, Media and Public Relations at NACCHO.

More posts by Theresa Spinner

Related Posts

Us capitol building

Budget Reconciliation: How It Could Impact Medicaid &...

See updates on the FY25 federal budget.

Mar 14, 2025 | Victoria Van de Vate

Budget Reconciliation: How It Could Impact Medicaid &...

Sen Patty Murray Russell 1
  • Policy

NACCHO’s 2025 Hill Day Builds Important Connections...

On February 26, local health officials from across the country joined NACCHO...

Mar 07, 2025 | Molly Curington

NACCHO’s 2025 Hill Day Builds Important Connections...

Senate Conducts Confirmation Hearings for HHS Secretary...

This week, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee, Robert F....

Jan 31, 2025

Senate Conducts Confirmation Hearings for HHS Secretary...

Screenshot 2025 01 31 160547
  • Tools & Resources

Level Up Your Advocacy: How to Be a Public Health...

With a new Presidential Administration in office and the 119th Congress in full...

Jan 31, 2025 | Molly Curington

Level Up Your Advocacy: How to Be a Public Health...

I Stock 1405816313 1

Public Health is Local: NACCHO’s Recommendations for the...

The incoming Presidential Administration and 119th Congress have a unique...

Oct 22, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate

Public Health is Local: NACCHO’s Recommendations for the...

Doctor Prescription Medication Health

House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on...

The House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing to examine chronic...

Sep 27, 2024 | Lauren Soule, Anastaseya Kulikova

House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on...

United States Supreme Court

Chevron Overturned: What the Supreme Court Action Means...

The most recent U.S. Supreme Court term was filled with notable decisions on...

Aug 23, 2024 | Molly Curington

Chevron Overturned: What the Supreme Court Action Means...

Capitol Close Up Dome

Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY25 Labor-HHS...

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the FY25 Labor-HHS Appropriations...

Aug 09, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate, Lauren Soule

Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY25 Labor-HHS...

US Washington Capitol

Energy & Commerce Hearing with CDC Officials

This week the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing...

Jul 26, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate

Energy & Commerce Hearing with CDC Officials

Back to Top