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NCTE Condemns Confirmation of Ben Carson for HUD Secretary

Press Contact

Contact Name
Ash Orr (they/he)

Statement from Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality:

The Senate has just voted to confirm a man who called over 1.4 million of his fellow Americans who are transgender ‘abnormal’ and referred to acknowledging their very existence as ‘silly,’ ‘beyond ridiculous,’ and ‘the height of absurdity.’ Even setting aside Dr. Carson's self-professed inexperience, these mean-spirited statements alone should have been disqualifying. The Senate will now own those comments.

The Trump administration has already shown it is comfortable attacking families and children, including transgender children and refugee children. Now it will have someone famous for spouting intolerance atop an agency charged with ensuring fair housing and helping Americans facing poverty and homelessness--including the 29 percent of transgender Americans living in poverty and the 23 percent who experienced housing  discrimination in the last year. 

Despite today's vote, we will continue to work together with all those who value dignity, fairness, and compassion to promote fair housing and resist any attempt to roll back civil rights or attack vulnerable communities.

 

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