Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) workers face significant barriers to economic security—in particular, employment discrimination, workforce exclusion, and a lack of access to good jobs that pay well, offer quality benefits, and support workers’ right to come together in unions. Fortunately, the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and President Joe Biden’s economic agenda contain critical investments that provide a historic opportunity to advance equity, ensure government spending creates good jobs, and include LGBTQI+ workers in a rebuilt economy that works for all Americans. These investments help to address the climate crisis, rebuild crumbling roads and bridges, and expand other critical sectors, with a new commitment to supporting long-marginalized workers—including LGBTQI+ workers. The Biden-Harris administration must use its considerable administrative and executive power to ensure that all new investments and all other government spending include the standards, outreach, and enforcement necessary to uplift and empower LGBTQI+ workers. Moreover, it is crucial that these policies to expand economic opportunity are implemented in line with the principles of President Biden’s executive actions to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The above excerpt was originally published in the Center for American Progress.
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