A number of representatives from local LGBT-equality organizations attended the 2013 White House LGBT Policy Briefing in Washington, D. C., just three days before President Obama’s inauguration. The Jan. 18 meeting included conversations with top federal officials on progress made in the past few years on LGBT issues and advances in the coming years. Equality Pennsylvania president Adrian Shanker said the occasion stood out for its hopeful message. “The unique thing is the meeting talked about looking forward in the second term and what the second term might bring in terms of equality,” he said. Other local guests included PGN publisher Mark Segal and Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition executive director Jason Landau Goodman. Shanker said the event provided guests an opportunity “to hear from the administration about what they are proactively doing for LGBT equality. We were able to spend our energy in communicating what we want. We don’t have to fight against bad policy anymore.” Landau Goodman said he especially appreciated that the administration addressed issues surrounding LGBT youth. “The administration highlighted homeless youth, specifically LGBT youth, who are estimated to be 40 percent of homeless youth in the United States,” he said. Shanker said the briefing communicated that the administration will continue to build on the work that has already been done. “The White House is prioritizing LGBT health and human rights abroad and looking forward to any immigration-reform package that would be LGBT-inclusive,” he said.
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