Why LGBTQ+ groups are angry at RFK Jr.’s confirmation

Author: Trudy Ring

Many LGBTQ+ groups are angry and appalled at the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, one of Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees, was confirmed by the Senate as Health secretary Thursday.

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Kennedy has a history as an anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist, and he has said exposure to chemicals makes young people transgender. In his confirmation hearing, he denied ever saying that. He also has said that HIV does not cause AIDS, that COVID-19 was designed to spare Ashkenazi Jews (those from Eastern Europe) and Chinese people, and that Lyme disease is likely a militarily engineered bioweapon, all preposterous and debunked claims. He is one of many unqualified people Trump has named to his Cabinet for their perceived loyalty to him — Kennedy briefly ran for president as an independent, then threw his support to Trump — and the Republican-majority Senate has confirmed them.

“Mr. Kennedy’s approach to public health is not in the best interest of our communities, nor does he intend to eradicate critical issues to safeguard health and safety for us all,” said a statement from National LGBTQ Task Force Director of Policy Allen Morris.

“We live in an America with glaring gaps in healthcare equity, substance abuse, and chronic disease management,” Morris continued Our communities are the most impacted by these inequities. While LGBTQ communities have made life-changing strides to eradicate the HIV epidemic across the world, we are witnessing the rescission of lifesaving federal programs like PEPFAR, attacks on healthcare for transgender children and youth, the defunding of the healthcare study for LGBTQ veterans, and the closing of the USAID department which will set our progress back DECADES.”

“We urge the new secretary to prioritize health organizations and community leaders who represent the most impacted communities to develop effective strategies that address health disparities,” he added. “We also implore the secretary to maintain the effective programs and regulations that are currently in place as they have been proven to save lives. The stakes are too high for us to accept a status quo that fails to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Americans. The National LGBTQ Task Force will monitor the actions of the Department closely and will hold them accountable to the principles of transparency, effectiveness and equity.”

Sinead Murano-Kinney, health policy analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality, issued this statement: “By measures of expertise and character, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is unfit and unqualified for this position. We look to the Secretary of HHS to protect the health and well-being of all. RFK Jr. has consistently proven he is incapable of grasping, let alone upholding, the principles of equity and scientific integrity. His disregard for scientific evidence and embrace of misinformation endanger vulnerable populations, including trans people, intersex people, people living with HIV, and low-income families relying on Medicaid.

“His rejection of scientific consensus threatens access to critical healthcare, from vaccines to transgender healthcare. Despite claims he would ‘follow the science,’ RFK Jr. has previously promoted conspiracy theories such as 5G misinformation, making xenophobic claims that COVID-19 was engineered to target certain populations, he’s compared vaccination mandates to the Third Reich and the Holocaust, and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of public health programs.

“His appointment is particularly alarming for trans and intersex Americans, as he is now responsible for enforcing some of President Trump’s most harmful executive orders targeting our communities. RFK Jr. has falsely described essential transition-related care as ‘castration drugs,’ ignoring decades of research confirming the safety and necessity of transition-related treatment in reducing suicidality and improving mental health. He has also made unsubstantiated claims that the existence of trans people is the result of chemical exposure from our drinking water, based entirely off a single study conducted on frogs.

“RFK Jr. has demonstrated that he will not be guided by scientific integrity or values of equity. Instead, he will be nothing more than a conspiratorial figurehead, a yes-man, enabling the worst impulses of a President with a clear agenda to remove trans people from participating in public life. His leadership signals a dangerous era where disinformation dictates policy, harming those most in need of care.”

This from Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner: “The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary is nothing short of a catastrophe for our country’s public health system. … This appointment elevates dangerous, anti-science extremism to the highest levels of government and puts millions of lives at risk, including those of the LGBTQ+ community members we serve at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

“Our clients rely on life-saving medications like vaccinations, PrEP to prevent HIV, hormone therapy for the TGNBI+ community, and critical treatments for chronic conditions. Undermining trust in medical advancements and proven research, as Kennedy has consistently done, isn’t just irresponsible — it’s malfeasance and deadly. …

“Our clients, patients, and the broader LGBTQ+ community can rest assured that the Center will continue to fight for policies and funding that protect public health, so that our communities have access to the compassionate, evidence-based care they deserve.”

A contrary opinion came from Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “We stand ready to work with Secretary Kennedy as he and President Trump seek to improve the health of the American people. Ending infectious and chronic diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, must be a vital component in the administration’s initiatives,” Schmid said in a press release. “We were pleased that Kennedy went on record during his confirmation process and stated, ‘I look forward to continuing the good work that President Trump did in his pursuit to eradicate HIV/AIDS.’”

In his first term, Trump launched the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which accelerates HIV testing, treatment, and prevention programs, including PrEP, Schmid noted. However, he did not mention that in administering PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the international program started by Republican President George W. Bush, Trump’s State Department has ordered PrEP to be distributed overseas only to pregnant and breastfeeding women, not LGBTQ+ people or sex workers.

In Kennedy’s confirmation hearing, he said he believes HIV causes AIDS, contrary to his previous statements.

“To deliver on the promise of eradicating HIV will require a commitment to science, properly funded public health treatment and prevention programs, and policies that support all populations impacted by HIV,” Schmid added.” It will also require access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage, including private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.”

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Trudy Ring