Nine LGBTQ, health, and HIV organizations sued the Trump administration Thursday over executive orders that target transgender individuals and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
They argue these policies hinder their ability to provide critical health services by forcing them to disregard key aspects of identity.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenges orders that eliminate DEI programs and equity-related grants while asserting the government only recognizes two sexes. These directives threaten federal funding for organizations serving historically marginalized communities.
“The Executive Orders together target Plaintiffs and the people they serve for opprobrium and exclusion from services that receive federal financial assistance because of who they are,” the lawsuit states.
Lambda Legal represents the groups, seeking an injunction to halt enforcement. They argue the orders violate constitutional rights and penalize organizations that acknowledge transgender identities.
Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said funding was frozen as “an attempt to intimidate us into silence.”
Jose Abrigo of Lambda Legal’s HIV Project warned the orders obstruct targeted healthcare efforts: “The inability to address the history of systemic discrimination… poses an existential threat.”
Carla Smith, CEO of New York’s LGBTQ Community Center, emphasized the broader impact: “The implications for our community are substantial.”
Jessyca Leach, CEO of Prisma Community Care, underscored the stakes.
“If we cannot recognize a gender-expansive individual for who they are, we can’t provide them with health care,” Leach stated.
Renee Lau of Baltimore Safe Haven added, “By trying to take organizations like mine down… you are taking down a large swath of the population.”
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