HUD Secretary Donovan Addresses Trans Organization, One of Two Firsts for the Night
Posted by Chris Geidner |
November 16, 2011 4:05 AM

http://metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/11/hud-secretary-donovan-addresse.html

On Tuesday night, Nov. 15, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary addressed the eighth anniversary National Center for Transgender Equality awards ceremony. The event, held at the Mayflower Hotel, drew a crowd that included many notable D.C. LGBT politicos and, according to NCTE, marked the first time a cabinet secretary addressed a transgender organization.

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In opening his remarks, Donovan told the crowd, "It is a very special honor to be the first cabinet secretary to address the National Center for Transgender Equality -- but I also want to be very clear that I will not be the last."

Donovan began by pointing to the administration's successes more broadly on transgender issues -- ranging from out transgender appointees like Amanda Simpson, who was in attendance, to the Office of Personnel Management's announcement prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity in federal employment. He also noted actions from the Veterans Affairs and State Departments, as well as the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.