The Trump administration continues to target LGBTQ+ folks through a variety of public policy moves, such as its recent demotion of World Aids Day. The state department has directed its employees and funding recipients to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day [December 1] through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging”, even though approximately 1.2 million people living in the U.S. have HIV, with queer and non-white populations disproportionately affected. Another recent attack by the American government on its LGBTQ+ citizens, concerns the loan forgiveness policy for civil service and nonprofit workers. These workers are typically eligible to have their student loans cancelled once they’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working in their positions. The Education Department (yes, it still exists, for now…) recently announced changes to the qualifications for said policy, explaining that employers with “substantial illegal purpose” – such as supporting terrorism and child trafficking – will be ineligible. Critics allege that this new language will be used to exclude organizations that work with LGBTQ+ and trans populations, immigrants, and others whose politics and lifestyles do not kowtow to the current administration’s values from loan forgiveness in the future. The National Council of Nonprofits, as well as a group of 22 states, have filed lawsuits against the federal government contesting what they believe is a violation of the Higher Education Act.
America’s Latest Homophobic Antics
