Comment Submitted by Professor Andrew Penn
AnonymousOpposeAcademic
Summary: A nursing professor and healthcare professional opposes the proposed revisions to the Equal Access Rule. They argue that the changes would allow for discrimination against transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, potentially leading to loss of housing and negative health impacts for vulnerable populations.
I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed changes to the Equal Access Rule issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This proposal would remove critical protections that ensure fair and equal access to housing and services, particularly for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. By redefining “sex” in a restrictive way and allowing providers to require documentation or proof, the rule opens the door to discrimination, denial of services, and unsafe conditions for people seeking housing assistance. As a health care professional and professor of Nursing, I am well aware of the health impacts that stem from loss of housing. We cannot allow some of our most vulnerable members of society to be discriminated against in a way that will force some to lose housing.