Congresswoman Simon Stands Up for LGBTQ+ Foster Youth, Opposes Discrimination in Adoption and Foster Care System

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Vice Chair of the Equality Caucus Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) joined Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Judy Chu (CA-28) led 23 House Democrats in a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing alarm at the Department's rescission of a rule that ensures LGBTQ+ foster youth have access to safe and affirming placements. The members demanded that Secretary Kennedy, Jr. put forth an alternative rule that ensures the safety of LGBTQ+ youth.

LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and face higher risks of harm. Evidence has shown that affirming placements significantly improve the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. Previous designated placement policy required states to maintain an adequate number of foster placements that support and affirm LGBTQ+ foster youth. By rescinding the rule, the Trump Administration is removing key protections that ensure access to safe, appropriate placements, undermining agencies' ability to meet legal obligations and putting vulnerable youth at greater risk.

Congresswoman Simon is committed to defending, protecting, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in Congress. She has co-led the "Rise Up Resolution," which calls for equal education opportunity and civil rights for LGBTQ+ students, co-led a letter opposing President Donald Trump's renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, and led a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing rollbacks anti-discrimination enforcement of the Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ+ Americans.

"As someone who started my career working with young women, non-binary, and trans youth who were impacted by the juvenile justice and foster care systems, I believe strongly that all foster youth, including LGBTQ+ foster children, deserve the chance to be placed where they will be safe, affirmed, and supported," said Congresswoman Simon. "No child should fear for their bodily or mental safety. I am united with Representatives Craig, Chu, Davis, and Moore in our strong opposition of the Trump administration's rollback of policy that ensured the safety, security, and protection of LGBTQ+ foster youth."

"Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. Research overwhelmingly shows that LGBTQ+ foster youth have better mental health and well-being outcomes when placed with affirming caregivers," said Rep. Chu. "That's why the Trump administration's recission of the Designated Placement Rule is so harmful. This rule helped ensure that more LGBTQ+ foster youth get placed in supportive, stable, caring environments where they can thrive. This harmful decision puts the most vulnerable youth in our society at even greater risk, all in service to Republicans' extremist, anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. It's cruel, indefensible, and we are fighting back."

"Every child deserves a safe and loving home, no matter how they identify. In fact, federal law requires the federal government to ensure that all children in foster care receive safe and proper care which this rule helped accomplish," said Rep. Moore. "LGBTQI+ foster youth are particularly vulnerable to failed foster placements due to a caregiver's hostility towards their sexual orientation or gender identity. The designated placement rule helps ensure these foster youth are placed in supportive, reaffirming environments in an effort to ensure their safety and prosperity. It is cruel to rescind this rule and we are calling on Secretary Kennedy to reverse his decision and support policy that lifts up LGBTQI+ foster youth."

"Government has a unique responsibility to ensure that each and every child in foster care finds a loving, affirming family," said Rep. Davis. "The Designated Placement Rule helps ensure that LGBTQI+ foster youth can join supportive environments where they can flourish. The Trump Administration's rescission of this rule prioritizes prejudice at the expense of the safety and well-being of foster youth. As one who grew up in the segregated south, I understand first-hand the profoundly detrimental effects of discrimination, and I proudly join with my colleagues to fight this injustice."

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