Today, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) urged the Senate to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), our nation’s only federal law that specifically funds vital services for youth experiencing homelessness. The bipartisan reauthorization bill includes a non-discrimination clause that will help ensure that the 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) not only have access to critical services, but that those services are safe, welcoming, and tailored to meet their unique needs.
Yesterday, our co-founder Cyndi Lauper made waves by calling for RHYA’s reauthorization, stressing the importance of including specific protections for LGBT youth. If you haven’t read her op-ed in the Hill, you need to now.
Watch Senator Leahy speak on reauthorizing RHYA:
Watch Susan Collins speak on RHYA:
All youth deserve equal protection under the law. Agree? Get the word out on Facebook and Twitter!