In a surprising development, Vince Micone, a well-known LGBTQ+ advocate and former board member of the Capital Pride Alliance, has been appointed as the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. This appointment was announced by President Donald Trump on January 20, marking the start of Micone's new role in the federal government.
Vince Micone, who identifies as gay, has a long history of public service within the federal government, having held several influential positions over the past three decades. His contributions to the LGBTQ+ community are also significant, as he has been a dedicated member of D.C.'s Capital Pride Alliance for 15 years. The organization is known for organizing major LGBTQ+ events in Washington, D.C., including the city's renowned Pride celebrations.
This unexpected career shift for Micone comes at a crucial time for the Capital Pride Alliance, as preparations are underway for the upcoming WorldPride event in Washington, D.C. The event is anticipated to attract over two million visitors from around the globe in May and June. In light of his new responsibilities, Micone has resigned from the Capital Pride Alliance board, where he previously served as Vice President of Operations and Treasurer.
Micone's appointment to the role of Acting Secretary of Labor is expected to be temporary, as President Trump has already nominated former U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer from Oregon for the position of permanent Secretary of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer's nomination is currently pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, which is expected to occur within the next few weeks.
This development marks the second instance in which President Trump has appointed an openly gay individual to a Cabinet position. Previously, Scott Bessent, a gay hedge fund executive, was nominated as U.S. Treasury Secretary. Bessent's nomination has recently been approved by the Senate Finance Committee, who have forwarded it to the full Senate for final approval.
While the Washington Blade was unable to reach Micone for comment, Ashley Smith, Chair of the Capital Pride Alliance board, confirmed Micone's resignation, attributing it to his new duties as Acting Secretary of Labor. Smith expressed gratitude for Micone's years of service and his substantial impact on the organization and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
The Capital Pride Alliance website highlights Micone's extensive involvement in various philanthropic and civic activities. The write-up notes that Micone co-chaired the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area, which successfully raised $732 million for charities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Beyond his involvement with Capital Pride, Micone has served as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in D.C., a member of the Mayor's LGBT Commission, and Chairperson of the D.C. Commission on National and Community Service. His activism extends to supporting numerous LGBTQ+ organizations and advocating for HIV programming and equality.
Before his tenure at the Department of Labor, Micone held significant roles within the Department of Commerce, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Homeland Security. He was also involved with President Trump's 2016 presidential transition team, contributing his expertise to the process.
In a recent email to Labor Department staff, Micone outlined changes in line with President Trump's directives, including the closure of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices and the termination of related contracts. The email, bearing Micone's name and title, emphasized compliance with the executive orders and warned against using disguised language to continue DEIA programs.
The same message was reportedly distributed to other federal agencies, signaling a significant shift in policy direction within the Department of Labor and potentially across the broader federal government.
Micone's new role and the policies associated with it have sparked discussions and varying perspectives within both the LGBTQ+ community and the wider public sphere, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by advocates navigating political landscapes.
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