Comment Submitted by Patti Held

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. The original wording is provided to eliminate the possibility of ANY individuals being discriminated against. ALL people have the right to fair housing and not to be segregated based on what their chromosomes are, but by how they present themselves. If you need to have buckets to separate individuals into, you can have three: male, female, and other for which housing and services be provided. Sincerely, Patti Held