Statement on our Efforts to Protect HIV/AIDS Funding & Medicaid

Our Executive Director had the privilege of drafting advocacy letters to federal and state officials on behalf of the Michigan HIV/AIDS Council, as well as drafting the official statement of the council, on the topic of protecting HIV/AIDS funding and programs.

The federal letter, sent to the White House, the Department of Health, the CDC, select members of Congress and our two Senators, advocated against current and proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and Medicaid -- which provides treatment to many lower income Americans.

The state letter -- sent to the Governor, the Department of Health, and select members of the legislature, advocated for the importance of these programs, and to work diligently to attempt to cover funding shortfalls if the state should see cuts from the federal government.

The public statement updated MHAC's followers and partners on what we are doing, as well as the status of programs and funding.

It's important to note that while the Trump Administration temporarily removed HIV data from the CDC website, a court ordered them to reinstate this vital public health information. While some universities have begun to see federal grants on HIV/AIDS research gutted, right now previously approved congressional funding is still in place for treatment, care and Medicaid. However, as congress returns to deliberate on the budget, we are deeply concerned over proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention and care, as well as proposed cuts to Medicaid. While some have reported that federal HIV programs have already been cut, so far, the Trump Administration has indicated they will move these programs from the CDC to other parts of the Department of Health. We will keep you updated as things evolve. The history of America shows what happens when an epidemic is mishandled, and it's in the interest of all communities to protect against the spread of HIV.

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Statement on Further Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions at Federal & State Levels

It has become increasingly difficult to find titles to these statements since President Trump took office, with words like further, additional, and continued becoming so common a reader such as yourself may not be able to tell the statements apart.

Rather than attempt to write individual statements on each action, you may have noticed we've been grouping them together whenever possible. Say what you want about the former Administration, but during Biden's tenure we didn't wake up every morning wondering what new attack our community would be confronted with. Let our record of statements then versus now serve as a reminder of the progress we were making compared to the state of our politics now.

While our civil liberties are threatened here at home, the international community has taken note by adding the United States to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist.

During this same period, President Trump shared a photo of a pink triangle in response to an article discussing transgender people being banned from the military. For those who are unaware, the pink triangle was used in Nazi Germany, as a way to identify members of the LGBTQ+ community during their persecution and murder in the concentration camps, comparable to the Star of David the Nazi's made Jewish people wear during the Holocaust.

In the same week, a Republican Committee Chair called transgender congressmember Sarah McBride, "Mr. McBride" and promptly adjourned the meeting rather than apologize when another member of congress confronted the disrespect.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering hearing a case that seeks to overturn conversion therapy bans. Harmful and debunked "therapies" are not the right of parents to subject their children to, nor should licensed professionals be able to provide these dangerous services.

Here in Michigan, the Republican House of Representatives voted for a resolution to urge the Michigan High School Athletic Association to ban trans women from playing on women's sports teams, which would violate our state's nondiscrimination law.

In summary, we have a lot of work to do. Join us as a volunteer and as a donor.

Help us continue to fight by making a tax-deductible donation at chosenfamilyofmichigan.org

Statement on Anti-Trans Sports Bill Being Defeated in the U.S. Senate

Democrats defeated an anti-trans bill in the United States Senate.

While the Trump Administration is still attempting to withhold funding to states who respect gender identity in school sports through Executive Orders and departmental policy, this is currently being fought in court. Meanwhile, this win in Congress helps to prevent further barriers to the transgender community.

It is our view that the transgender community by and large has always been open to discussion on fairness in sports, and how to navigate this complex issue. However, the Republican platform seeks to erase transgender people entirely, rather than work together to uplift transgender athletes while also ensuring equity for all other players through dialogue, collaboration and problem solving in how biology affects athletics. 

It’s important to note that this bill could have subjected athletes to invasive medical examinations to prove their biological sex. Additionally, what team would an intersex person (a person born with characteristics from both biological sexes) have to play on? Or how about biological women who play on women’s sports teams but have the muscular density and build traditional of a biological man? It is clear the Republican party is just using biological competitiveness as a guise for being anti-LGBTQ+. 

Further, bill sponsor Senator Tuberville (R-Alabama), advocated for the bill with blatant lies, stating that entire teams are made up of trans athletes. In our state, the Michigan High School Athletic Association reports there are two trans athletes playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Two. Out of over 271,000.

We thank the Senate Democrats for standing up for the LGBTQ+ community in the face of relentless attacks.

We hope the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures can refocus their energy on issues that Americans actually care about, rather than fan the flames of culture wars simply because a small portion of the population expresses their gender differently than cultural norms, and/or identifies outside of historical gender roles and expectations.

Help us continue to fight by making a tax-deductible donation at chosenfamilyofmichigan.org