White House LGBT Conference Held In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Wayne State University campus played host to a White House conference Friday focusing on the homelessness and housing discrimination issues that continue to plague the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans-Gender (LGBT) community.
The summit was held in response to the recent passing of the Equal Access to Housing Rule, which now prohibits Housing and Urban Development participants from discriminating against LGBT applicants. Many federal officials were in attendance, including a good portion of the Obama Administration.
Detroit City Council member Charles Pugh said he fully understands the significance surrounding this topic since he is a member of the LGBT community. "Too often, our young people are victimized in their own homes, verbally, physically and therefore have to leave on their own," he said.
Pugh added that the main reason for young people leaving usually results from them feeling uncomfortable in their own space or by being kicked out because of their orientation.
HUD Secretary Sean Donovan said that violators of this new rule will not be taken lightly. "If you're denying HUD housing to people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, you're discriminating, he said. "You're breaking the law and you will be held accountable."
