Resolution 260248

..Title Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings examining the state of LGBTQ+ health in Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ health includes, but is not limited to, access to and quality of general healthcare, sexual and reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming healthcare, HIV/AIDS medication and preventative healthcare, mental healthcare and treatment, and population health and wellbeing generally; and WHEREAS, Data consistently shows that LGBTQ+ people have significant health disparities in comparison to their straight and cis peers; inequities in accessing healthcare, quality and affordable housing, fair treatment in the education and criminal justice system, and LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk of dying by suicide; and WHEREAS, This disproportionate impact is the direct result of compounded anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and other systemic barriers to accessing healthcare services across the United States. Under the current federal administration, the impacts to health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people have only worsened; and WHEREAS, The federal government has rescinded numerous laws protecting Trans people; it has enacted laws banning life-saving healthcare such as gender-affirming care; it has written numerous letters and official memos threatening and stating its desire to stop funding for any health provider serving Trans people, and has contributed to a culture of fear and violence that directly impacts the health, wellbeing, and lives of Trans people across the Country, including in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to several established LGBTQ+ health providers and community organizations that have served the community for decades. Many of these providers are facing challenges funding existing programming and have put planned program expansions on hold. Consistent threats to cut funding and overreach investigations into organizations' practices as a result of the current federal administration have made it almost impossible for healthcare providers to operate effectively; and WHEREAS, Health disparities and inequitable outcomes for LGBTQ+ people because of harmful national rhetoric and obsession with targeting, dehumanizing, and demeaning Trans people are growing. Studies show that this rhetoric and national policies not only affect the people they directly target, but they lead to higher rates of suicide in LGBTQ youth; and WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people are also at heightened risk to contract HIV/AIDS. Philadelphia is experiencing an HIV epidemic, and defunding of needle exchange programs is only worsening this problem. The recent discovery and wider distribution of long-acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis; in which someone who has contracted HIV only needs one injection every six months to remain at undetectable levels is an incredible stride that has the ability to curtail the HIV epidemic in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Given the ongoing, persistent, and growing health crisis facing LGBTQ+ people and people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS, amidst national pressure to decrease funding and healthcare, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings examining the state of LGBTQ+ Health in Philadelphia. ..End