WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 300 Americans joined Independent Women in urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to finalize proposed reforms to the Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs rule that would restore sex-based protections in federally funded housing and shelter programs.
In a formal letter submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of General Counsel, Independent Women’s Law Center applauded the proposed revisions, which would ensure housing and shelter access policies are based on immutable biological sex (male or female) rather than ever-changing self-identified “gender.”
“The proposed rule appropriately restores the ability of shelter providers to request reasonable assurances or evidence regarding sex where necessary to preserve lawful sex-specific accommodations and ensure the safety of facility residents. Without such safeguards, sex-specific policies become effectively unenforceable,” said Beth Parlato, senior legal counsel at Independent Women’s Law Center.
“Independent Women’s Law Center strongly supports HUD’s proposed rule rescinding and revising the 2012 and 2016 Equal Access Rules,” Parlato added. “The proposal restores legal clarity, respects congressional limits on agency authority, protects vulnerable women and girls, and reaffirms that biological sex matters in contexts where privacy and safety are of paramount importance. HUD should finalize the rule without delay.”
READ INDEPENDENT WOMEN’S OFFICIAL COMMENT HERE.
Independent Women’s “Sex Matters in Housing Policy” Public Comment Drive
Earlier this month, Independent Women launched its “Sex Matters in Housing Policy” public comment campaign to encourage Americans to support the proposed rule, emphasizing that taxpayer-funded housing programs should prioritize the safety of vulnerable women while ensuring equal access consistent with biological reality. The comment period closed this week.
Independent Women, which has long advocated for policies that protect women’s rights, privacy, safety, and equal opportunities, continues to champion sex-based protections in education, athletics, health care, corrections, and federally funded public programs through policy, law, storytelling, and grassroots advocacy.
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