Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is helping lead the effort to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, our nation’s only federal law that specifically funds vital services for youth experiencing homelessness. As she puts it:
“Our amendment would ensure that those seeking services through these federal programs are not denied assistance based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sexual identity, gender identity, disability or gender.”
All youth deserve safe and affirming support. Period. And federal programs should not discriminate against anyone. Period.
Congress can fix this by passing the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (which would reauthorize RHYA). As our co-founder Cyndi Lauper said in her op-ed in The Hill, “The time to act is now, because homeless youth don’t have the time for us to wait until tomorrow.”
Nicolas Seip is the Program and Communications Associate at the True Colors Fund.