Federal Court Blocks Trump Anti-Equity and Anti-Transgender Executive Orders Targeting LGBTQ and HIV-Serving Nonprofits
Source: https://lambdalegal.org/newsroom/sfaf_us_20250609_federal-court-blocks-trump-anti-equity-and-anti-transgender-executive-orders-targeting-lgbtq-and-hiv-serving-nonprofits/
Preliminary Injunction from Lambda Legal lawsuit Secures Temporary Lifeline to Nine LGBTQ And HIV Organizations Under Threat by Three Trump Executive Orders
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA - June 10, 2025) — The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction yesterday blocking implementation of three of Trump’s executive orders that threatened to defund vital health and support services for LGBTQ people, including those living with or at risk of HIV.
The injunction granted in Lambda Legal’s lawsuit San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump prevents the Trump Administration from defunding the nine organizations represented in the lawsuit as the case proceeds. The order holds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that multiple provisions of two anti-DEI executive orders and an anti-transgender executive order are unconstitutional.
“We are relieved—but make no mistake, we are also resolute. Today’s decision to block these dangerous, anti-LGBTQ+ orders is a critical step in protecting not just our organization, but the communities we exist to serve. These policies threatened to erase access to lifesaving HIV and health services for transgender, nonbinary, and queer people across the country. That isn’t just bad policy—it’s cruel, and it’s inhumane. The Court’s action gives us the fuel to keep fighting. And we will—because our communities deserve nothing less than dignity, equity, and the right to thrive.” Dr. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“This is a critical win—not only for the nine organizations we represent, but for LGBTQ communities and people living with HIV across the country,” said Jose Abrigo, Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director and Senior Counsel on the case. “The Court blocked anti-equity and anti-LGBTQ executive orders that seek to erase transgender people from public life, dismantle DEI efforts, and silence nonprofits delivering life-saving services. Today’s ruling acknowledges the immense harm these policies inflict on these organizations and the people they serve and stops Trump’s orders in their tracks.”
The legal win will protect the nine nonprofit organizations across the country from having to shutter programs or silence their advocacy for fear of losing critical federal support while the case proceeds. The ruling ensures organizations such as San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles and New York LGBTQ Centers can continue to operate, advocate, serve people, and save lives without further censorship or threats to their funding.
In granting the injunction, the court held that Lambda Legal’s plaintiffs and the transgender people they serve will likely succeed in demonstrating that the executive orders violate their rights to equal protection, free speech, and due process, and that the orders likely violate the Separation of Powers.
In the 52-page decision, the U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar wrote:
“While the Executive requires some degree of freedom to implement its political agenda, it is still bound by the Constitution.... And even in the context of federal subsidies, it cannot weaponize Congressionally appropriated funds to single out protected communities for disfavored treatment or suppress ideas that it does not like or has deemed dangerous. [...] Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs face the imminent loss of federal funding critical to their ability to provide lifesaving healthcare and support services to marginalized LGBTQ populations. This loss not only threatens the survival of critical programs but also forces Plaintiffs to choose between their constitutional rights and their continued existence.”
The court’s decision means these nonprofits can continue providing HIV prevention and treatment, housing, mental health support, and culturally competent health care—services that are often unavailable elsewhere and that these organizations provide to specific and vulnerable populations.
The judge explained his decision to grant the injunction by stating that “(T)hese three funding provisions reflect an effort to censor constitutionally protected speech and services promoting DEI and recognizing the existence of transgender individuals. These provisions seek to strip funding from programs that serve historically disenfranchised populations in direct contravention of several statutes under which Plaintiffs receive funding.”
The court also denied a request by the U.S. Department of Justice to stay the injunction while the case is appealed.
Background
Filed in February 2025 filed by Lambda Legal, San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump challenges three executive orders that aim to eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs and censor references to gender identity or LGBTQ+ populations. The plaintiffs include:
California: San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Los Angeles LGBT Center, GLBT Historical Society, San Francisco Community Health Center
Arizona: Prisma Community Care
New York: The NYC LGBT Community Center
Pennsylvania: Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center
Maryland: Baltimore Safe Haven
Wisconsin: FORGE
Lambda Legal will continue to fight against these orders as the lawsuit progresses, ensuring that these organizations—and the communities they serve—remain protected from unlawful government overreach.
QUOTES FROM PLAINTIFFS:
Statement from Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center
“This ruling is more than a legal victory—it protects a lifeline for the thousands of LGBTQ+ Angelenos who rely on us for affirming healthcare, housing, and HIV services. It sends a clear message: no president can deny our rights through lawless executive orders. Alongside Lambda Legal and our fellow plaintiffs, we took a stand because we had to—to defend our community’s constitutional rights and ensure no one is denied care, dignity, or safety because of who they are. We’re proud to fight this fight, and while it may be far from over, today we stand affirmed in our pursuit of justice."
Statement from Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center in New York City
“The court’s ruling secures a critical win for The Center and our co-plaintiffs in SFAF v. Trump. These executive orders directly threaten the people we serve—especially transgender and HIV-affected communities who already face significant barriers to care—as well as the essential work of community-based organizations like ours. “We’re grateful for this moment as we prepare for this ongoing fight. We rely on the strength of our partners and allies whose support allows us to continue protecting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers”
Statement from Jessyca Leach, CEO, Prisma Community Care
“This ruling is a lifeline for our communities. The Court’s decision affirms what we already know to be true: health equity is not optional, and our voices cannot be silenced. Prisma Community Care remains committed to delivering life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ people and those impacted by HIV—without fear, without censorship, and without compromise.”
Statement from the GLBT Historical Society's Executive Director Roberto Ordeñana
"Today’s decision is a crucial milestone in our challenge to these dangerous executive orders, which have targeted transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people throughout our community. This critical ruling acknowledges that these policies are not only harmful, but affirms the central issue at the heart of this case: our community’s right to exist. We are relieved by this ruling, gratified that the court has found serious merit in our challenge, and remain determined to see this case through. There is no LGB without the T—and we will not allow anyone in our community to be silenced, erased, or forgotten. The GLBT Historical Society remains committed to sharing our stories, uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, and preserving LGBTQ+ history, in all its diversity, for generations to come."
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Read the decision here: https://lambdalegal.org/legal_document/sfaf_us_20250609_order-granting-in-part-and-denying-in-part-motion-for-preliminary-injunction/
Read more about the case here: San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump - Lambda Legal
Find this press release here: Federal Court Blocks Trump Anti-Equity and Anti-Transgender Executive Orders Targeting LGBTQ and HIV-Serving Nonprofits - Lambda Legal
Media Contact:
Samy Nemir – snemir@lambdalegal.org | (202) 627-4877
Tom Warnke – twarnke@lambdalegal.org | (562) 212-2407
MORE COVERAGE
The Guardian US: Judge blocks Trump administration from enforcing anti-DEI orders in grant funding
Associated Press: Judge blocks administration from enforcing anti-diversity and anti-transgender executive orders
(Huge win Associated Press adopted our language of “Anti-equity and anti-trans orders”)
Yahoo: LGBTQ+ groups prevail in challenge to Trump executive order
Newsweek: Donald Trump Suffers Double Legal Blow in California
SF Chronicle: Judge Blocks Trump Order Cutting Federal Funds
Them: Federal Judge Blocks Anti-Trans Executive Orders That Could Defund LGBTQ+ Non-Profits
Law360: Trump Orders Targeting DEI, LGBTQ+ Funding Partly Blocked
HuffPost: Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Enforcing DEI and Anti-Trans Executive Orders
El Diario(US largest Spanish language paper): Bloquea Juez Orden contra Diversidad y Transgenero
Bay Area Reporter: Judge blocks Trump administration defunding of SF AIDS Foundation, other nonprofits, for now
Fox News: Federal judge rules Trump admin cannot block grants to LGBT groups
Gay City News: Federal court blocks portions of Trump’s anti-trans executive orders
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