Equality Brief FAQ’s & GUIDELINESCOMMUNITY RESOURCES With Donald Trump’s second term, fear and uncertainty has surged as his administration immediately rolled back LGBTQ+ rights through Executive Orders. Empowered by his actions, extremist lawmakers at the state levels have also followed suit. Here in Nevada, our pro-equality leadership is pushing back and our rights are still present, but the fight is far from over. Silver State Equality’s Equality Brief—updated weekly—keeps you informed on the latest developments in Nevada and D.C. Silver State Equality will continue to fight unrelentingly for the rights, safety, and dignity of LGBTQ+ people everywhere. What is an Executive Order? An executive order is a directive from the U.S. President that instructs federal agencies on how to implement and enforce laws or policies. While the President can use executive orders to manage the federal government, they cannot create new laws or override existing federal laws passed by Congress. Are Executive Orders Implemented Immediately? No. Executive actions take time to be implemented administratively and legally—and may never be fully realized. Already, several of the orders issued are being challenged in federal court. TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND PROTECTIONS June 3, 2026: A hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Wednesday saw Republicans continue their efforts to attack the ability of transgender youth to access medically-necessary healthcare. Much of their effort centered around Chloe Cole, a self-described “detransitioner” who received transition-related care as a young person, claims their family was not informed properly and misled about long-term consequences, and regularly profits from speaking engagements and public appearances with extremist groups including CPAC, Do No Harm, and Turning Point. Shannon Minter, himself a transgender man and Legal Director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, appeared on behalf of Committee Democrats to refute extremist talking points and emphasize the importance of parental involvement in transition-related care. Among the hearing’s most heated moments were comments by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who remarked, “This hearing comes in the context of intense hostility against trans people,” and drew out historical traditions of Republicans, “kicking around marginzalized oppressed people.” Source: The Advocate June 2, 2026: Following a ruling from a federal court in Mississippi, the HHS Department and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services submitted a vacateur notice to the Federal Register this week. In October 2025, the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi issued an order vacating portions of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, specifically language that expanded Title IX to include gender identity discrimination as sex discrimination. Critics warn this action could severaly impact delivery of healthcare for members of the TGI community, as well as cause major headaches for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Source: Federal Register May 27, 2026: Douglas County District Judge Carl Folsom issued an injunction temporarily blocking a law criminalizing the provision of transition-related care for youth from going into effect. While this does not strike down the law outright, it does prevent enforcement while legal challenges remain pending. The Kansas legislature overrode Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of the legislation in 2025, which blocks access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and transition-related surgeries for minors, and has been decried as one of the most expansive bans on transgender health care in the country. Source: The Advocate May 20, 2026: In response to a DOJ subpoena obtained from Texas, Rhode Island Hospital has begun sending some records of minors receiving transition-related care to the far-right judge who originally granted the DOJ’s request. Judge Reed O’Connor, who has a history of anti-LGBTQ+ rulings, ordered the hospital send the records to him while they challenge the constitutionality of the subpoena. The DOJ’s latest efforts signal an escalation in ongoing attacks against the transgender community. Source: LawDork May 20, 2026: The Department of Justice announced on May 15 that it had reached a $10 million settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital in relation to its provision of transition-related care for minors. While the settlement was reached out of court, with neither party admitting wrongdoing, part of the agreement mandates that the hospital revoke privileges for any physicians involved in providing such care, and also requires the creation of a so-called “detransition clinic.” Both actions stand to have a chilling effect on transgender healthcare providers nationwide. Source: Los Angeles Blade May 20, 2026: A 5-3 ruling from the state’s Supreme Court ordered Colorado Children’s Hospital to resume providing transition-related care for patients after previously stopping care following funding threats from the Trump administration. The majority further elaborated that the sudden termination of care violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, unfairly imposing hardship on the basis of gender identity. Source: The Advocate May 4, 2026: The Department of Justice sued Rhode Island Hospital in Texas to enforce a subpoena seeking invasive, individualized information about transgender minor patients receiving gender-affirming medical care, which was granted in a matter of hours by Judge Reed O’Connor, who has a history of issuing anti-LGBTQ+ decisions. Rhode Island’s Child Advocate sued in federal court in Rhode Island on Monday to quash the subpoena. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy has ordered the DOJ respond to this suit by May 12. Sources: DOJ Press Office, LawDork April 18, 2026: Last Saturday, April 18, Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai of the Federal District Court of Oregon summarily invalidated a December declaration from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that sought to severely restrict access to medically-necessary healthcare for transgender youth. In a sweeping and sharply worded rebuke, Judge Kasubhai made clear that the administration’s actions were unlawful and dangerous, directly calling out Kennedy’s “unserious regard for the rule of law” and how such disregard “causes very real harm to very real people.” Read our statement here. Source: Los Angeles Times April 9, 2026: State Senator Kathleen Kauth, a MAGA Republican who has previously authored a handful of anti-trans bills, failed this week in her attempts to amend other legislation to include discriminatory provisions. One proposed amendment would have imposed bathroom restrictions based on “sex assigned at birth” in government buildings, while another would have restricted access to healthcare for trans youth. Notably Kauth has been thwarted by members of her own party, including Speaker John Arch, who has refused to schedule her standalone bills without proof they can clear a filibuster. Source: The Advocate March 26, 2026: In its March newsletter, the American Medical Association (AMA) — the largest physician organization in the country — reaffirmed its support for transition-related care for minors, emphasizing that access to care should not be impeded. The AMA is among the nation’s leading medical groups who have repeatedly stated that transition-related care is not only medically necessary for those who require it, but life-saving. Source: Erin in the Morning March 13, 2026: Donald Trump announced recently that he would sign no other bills that come across his desk until Senate Republicans pass the SAVE Act — an anti-voting rights bill that would disenfranchise millions, impose strict voter ID requirements, and end all mail-in ballots. Now, he’s demanding the bill be amended to include a ban on transition-related healthcare for trans youth and a nationwide trans sports ban. At the same time, pressure is being applied to Republican leaders to bypass or eliminate the filibuster, which would negate Senate Democrats’ ability to block bad bills. Source: Erin in the Morning February 25, 2026: In his televised address on Tuesday night, Donald Trump called for a nationwide ban on schools allowing students to socially transition — using different pronouns and potentially changing wardrobe to better reflect a student’s gender identity. Additionally, he falsely claimed that minors regularly undergo transition-related care without parental consent. Trump called Democrats “crazy” and accused them of “destroying the country” after they refused to applaud his demand that states “must ban [transition-related care] immediately.” Source: The New York Times February 23, 2026: Rep Bob Onder (R-MO) has reintroduced the Chloe Cole Act, a rewritten version of an existing bill that essentially criminalizes healthcare providers who offer transition-related care. The rewrite added a “private right of action for parents and children whose healthy body parts have been damaged” by such care, and does not solely target surgical procedures — medication such as puberty blockers and hormone-related therapies are also included in the bill’s purview. Source: Rep. Bob Onder Press Office February 25, 2026: In his televised address on Tuesday night, Donald Trump called for a nationwide ban on schools allowing students to socially transition — using different pronouns and potentially changing wardrobe to better reflect a student’s gender identity. Additionally, he falsely claimed that minors regularly undergo transition-related care without parental consent. Trump called Democrats “crazy” and accused them of “destroying the country” after they refused to applaud his demand that states “must ban [transition-related care] immediately.” Source: The New York Times February 19, 2026: On Thursday, the Department of Justice unveiled a new policy for transgender inmates that would bar needed surgeries for trans people in federal prisons, require “tapering plans” for those receiving hormone therapy, and end social accommodations like offering gender-appropriate clothing. A previous anti-trans directive regarding federal prisons, issued in January 2025, is currently blocked from implementation by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth via preliminary injunction pending further litigation. Source: LawDork February 19, 2026: Parents of transgender youth and advocates were arrested after blockading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to protest proposed federal rules that could significantly restrict access to medically necessary care for transgender youth nationwide. The rules would cut off federal Medicaid funding for transgender healthcare and threaten hospitals with the loss of Medicare and Medicaid funding if they continue providing this care, prompting more than 40 hospitals across the country to halt or limit services. Source: Erin in the Morning February 18, 2026: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition of 21 fellow attorneys general to oppose proposed federal rules that would strip funding from healthcare providers offering transgender healthcare. The coalition argues that the rules violate states’ rights to regulate medicine, and that the Trump administration has exceeded its legal authority in attempting to condition participation in federal programs on halting specific medical services. Source: California AG Rob Bonta Press Office January 26, 2026: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general on an amicus brief opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to compel the release of medical records related to gender-affirming care from telehealth provider QueerDoc. The brief argues the Trump Administration, “continues to abuse its power in its bad faith crusade to subpoena demanding the names, birthdates, and social security numbers of patients seeking gender-affirming care.” Source: California AG Rob Bonta Press Office January 20, 2026: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition of 17 other state attorneys general and one governor in filing a legal brief opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to compel the release of hospital records related to gender-affirming care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The brief argues that the subpoena would violate patient privacy, improperly intrude on states’ rights to regulate medical care, and intimidate providers who offer medically necessary treatments. Source: California AG Rob Bonta Press Office January 7, 2026: Attorneys General from 22 states have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pause enforcement of an unprecedented—and likely unlawful—HHS “declaration” that seeks to restrict access to medically necessary healthcare for transgender young people in every state, including in states like CA where this care remains lawful. Under this agreement, HHS cannot enforce the declaration until after a court has had the opportunity to weigh in on the legality of this agency action. This means providers can continue to offer care during this time without the threat of losing their federal funding under the declaration. Source: Reuters January 1, 2026: A group of federal employees has filed a complaint, with support from the Human Rights Campaign, challenging a Trump administration policy that eliminates coverage for medically necessary transgender healthcare in federal employee health insurance plans. The complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, argues that the policy amounts to unlawful sex-based discrimination and asks the Office of Personnel Management to rescind it. Workers from multiple federal agencies — including the State Department, HHS, and the Postal Service — say the change would directly harm them and their families. Source: ABC News December 18, 2025: Two bills — authored by far-right lawmakers Rep, Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX) — passed House floor votes this week. Greene’s Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which passed 216-211, would criminalize medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth at the federal level, and threaten prosecution of a Class C felony for any provider of such healthcare punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. Crenshaw’s Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, which passed 215-201, prevents federal Medicaid dollars from being used to provide healthcare for transgender youth under 18. Both bills are not expected to advance in the Senate, with its 60-vote threshold for passage. Sources: The Washington Post, LGBTQ Nation December 18, 2025: Donald Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — joined by senior department officials from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and anti-trans activist Chloe Cole — held a press conference on Thursday to announce two new proposed rules to limit access to medically-necessary healthcare for trans youth under 18. One proposed rule would prohibit federal Medicaid funds from being used to pay for such healthcare, while the second would prevent hospitals who receive Medicare or Medicaid funds from providing care. The decision flies in the face of guidance from groups including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. There will be a mandatory 60-day public comment period before final implementation. Current law in California protects access to healthcare for transgender youth — and even if the rules become final, this care would remain legal in the state. Read Silver State Equality’s official statement here. Sources: HHS Press Office December 11, 2025: Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she would vote to pass the NDAA in exchange for a floor vote on her truly heinous Protect Children’s Innocence Act, legislation that would criminalize medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth at the federal level. Greene’s bill would threaten prosecution of a Class C felony for any provider of such healthcare punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. While the bill is unlikely to pass, it will mark the first time such a ban will reach the House floor and will be a key test for House Democrats to not capitulate on transgender rights. Source: Erin in the Morning December 9, 2025: With ACA subsidies set to expire — and increasing numbers of voters blaming Republicans for a spike in premiums — Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have offered a “starting point” proposal which includes broad restrictions on healthcare for transgender people of any age. These restrictions would bar any trans healthcare from being classified as an essential health benefit, prohibit Medicaid coverage, and forbid HSAs from considering such healthcare medically necessary. Source: Erin in the Morning December 7, 2025: Sunday evening, Congressional negotiators released agreed upon text of the National Defense Authorization Act, absent a previously included ban on certain transgender healthcare. Although the bill still contains anti-DEI language and a transgender sports ban for those enrolled at military academies, the removal of the healthcare provision was an unexpected win. Source: Erin in the Morning December 5, 2025: Citing unprecedented overreach by the Trump administration, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden sent letters to hospitals across the country urging providers to maintain privacy protections for LGBTQ+ patients, particularly transgender people. “Federal law enforcement cannot be weaponized to intimidate…providers delivering legal, medically necessary care,” Wyden’s letter said in part. Source: Senate Finance Committee Press Office December 3, 2025: Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) introduced the ‘D.C. Shield Law Repeal Act’ which would remove existing protections in the District of Columbia for providers of abortion and transgender healthcare who relocate after providing services in states where it may be illegal. Extremist groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council have endorsed the bill. Source: Sen. Mike Lee Press Office November 18, 2025: This week, the Department of Health and Human Services released a ‘Supplement to Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria’ — supposedly a peer-reviewed study of best practices for transgender youth receiving such care. However, the nation’s top medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association, decried the report, saying it “lacks sufficient transparency and clarity.” Source: HHS Official Website November 13, 2025: As attacks against the transgender community and their access to medically-necessary healthcare continue to escalate, CA Attorney General Rob Bonta released ‘Know Your Rights’ guidance outlining protections for both patients and providers under California law. “California remains committed to protecting and upholding everyone’s right to access healthcare free from discrimination,” said Bonta. Source: AG Bonta Press Office November 12, 2025: At a meeting in Baltimore this week. church officials voted overwhelmingly to make official a ban on any gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals. In many communities, Catholic hospitals are the only medical centers, and 1 in 7 patients across the country are treated every day, according to the Catholic Hospital Association. Source: NPR October 30, 2025: Draft rules from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would prohibit federal Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals providing medical care to transgender youth under 18, and potentially block all Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals that offer such care. The rules are expected to be publicly released in early November; since reentering office in January, the Trump administration has waged an all-out attack on the transgender community, weaponizing the Department of Justice, HHS and CMS to go after patients and providers. Read Silver State Equality’s statement on these latest developments. Source: NPR September 16, 2025: The recently-released strategic plan for the HRSA says the agency’s priority is to protect children from “medical interventions, such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries that attempt to transition minors away from their sex” and would not support the costs of such practices. Additional priorities are listed as “deprioritizing unlawful DEI initiatives” and “promoting biological truth.” Source: HRSA Press Office August 26, 2025: The Department of Health and Human Services sent demand letters to 46 states threatening to terminate federal funding for sex education for public schools unless they “remove all references to gender ideology.” The letters said that withholding the Personal Responsibility Education Program grants is aligned with Trump’s goal of “protecting children from attempts to indoctrinate them with delusional ideology.” The Trump administration cut funding for CA’s sex education program last week. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services August 21, 2025: In response to a challenge filed by one of the hospitals targeted in the Justice Department’s attack on healthcare for trans young people, a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to provide information about the scope of the Justice Department’s investigation — including in states where the provision of such care is legal — within two weeks. Source: Law Dork August 20, 2025: The Office of Personnel Management announced that gender-affirming care will no longer be covered for federal workers of all ages under two federal health insurance programs (the Federal Employee Health Benefits and the Postal Service Health Benefits). The new guidelines indicate that exceptions will be provided, but similar assurances made to transgender servicemembers and others have not resulted in exemptions. Source: FedSmith August 20, 2025: Recent DOJ subpoenas to hospitals that have provided gender-affirming care to trans people under 19 reveal a jaw-dropping scope of investigation — “every writing or record of whatever type” including billing documents, communication with drug manufacturers and sensitive data such as patient dates of birth, Social Security numbers and addresses. Source: The Washington Post August 15, 2025: The U.S. Department of Justice submitted a Statement of Interest in a New Hampshire case filed by GLAD Law on behalf of a transgender woman who was denied gender-affirming medical care when her company cited its beliefs under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The DOJ statement said that businesses and people of faith are protected from forced insurance coverage for “cosmetic procedures and services that are not required to treat a disability under the law” when doing so would violate their religious beliefs. Source: U.S. Department of Justice July 28, 2025: Pursuing a continued anti-trans agenda, the FTC opened a web portal for story collection this week looking for stories of “harms to consumers” as a result of transgender youth healthcare. Source: FTC Portal July 23, 2025: California’s largest healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, announced this week that it will pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients under the age of 19, effective August 29th. This decision follows those of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford Medicine who have similarly scaled back or halted such care for adolescents following escalating threats from the Trump Administration. Source: San Francisco Chronicle July 23, 2025: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, sent letters to six major healthcare providers and insurance companies demanding proof of compliance with Donald Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming medical care for minors by August 7, 2025. Source: HELP Committee Press Office July 17, 2025: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by nineteen other attorneys general, filed suit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) challenging a new federal rule that would strip healthcare from 1.8 million people. Additionally, the rule would also exclude gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, part of the Trump Administration’s continued assault on transgender people. July 9, 2025: The FTC held an all-day ‘workshop’ on Tuesday to “investigate evidence” of supposed wrongdoing by providers of medical care for transgender youth — including practitioners, medical groups, and pharmaceutical companies. The panel of supposed experts included doctors who virulently oppose such care, “morally defrauded and harmed victims,” and senior DOJ officials. Meanwhile, AG Bondi’s DOJ issued subpoenas demanding confidential medical information from more than 20 doctors and hospitals that have provided healthcare to transgender youth. This move is meant to spark fear for those who worry their private medical information may end up being released, and is a continuation of the administration’s disgusting campaign to erase trans people from public life. Source: The New York Times June 10, 2025: The House Judiciary Committee advanced the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, a bill sponsored by virulently anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene [R-GA] which subjects doctors who provide gender-affirming care to a punishment of up to 10 years in prison. The bill would also subject people who “facilitate” transport of a minor to receive such care to 10 years prison time. Source: Congress.gov June 6, 2025: Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed two bills this week that aimed to strengthen protections for transgender people in Nevada. One bill would have established a shield law for health care providers offering inclusive, life-saving healthcare, while the other sought to ensure protections for transgender people incarcerated in local jails. Source: Nevada Current June 2, 2025: The FBI is requesting tips from the public on hospitals, clinics, or practitioners who perform affirming surgeries on youth. All studies and findings from reputable medical groups show that surgery for minors is exceedingly rare, and considered on a case-by-case basis. This is another attempt by the federal government to threaten and intimidate transgender youth and their families. Source: Axios May 28, 2025: In response to Donald Trump’s “Defending Women” Executive Order, the DOE directed its employee union to remove workplace protections for pregnant or LGBTQ+ staff. The union — the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) — swiftly rebuffed the attempt, indicating they would not renegogiate their agreements and “will initiate litigation as necessary and proper.” Source: Bloomberg May 7, 2025: The California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) published new guidance reaffirming that all medically necessary gender-affirming care services for Medi-Cal members are covered and Medi-Cal’s policies have not changed–depsite escalating federal attacks on transgender healthcare. Source: HCS May 1, 2025: Led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services released a report on transgender youth healthcare on Thursday filled with pseudo-science and promoting dangerous, discredited conversion therapy practices. Source: CNN April 23, 2025: Attorney General Pam Bondi, released a memo to the Justice Department seeking to further impede transgender youth from accessing healthcare, as well as attacking medical providers and drug manufacturers. Source: NBC News April 15, 2025: Not content with attempting to outright ban transgender healthcare for minors via Executive Order, the Trump Administration is now moving to limit coverage for such care in Affordable Care Act insurance plans beginning next year, with the support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Source: Axios April 14, 2025: A so-called ‘Protect Kids’ hotline has been established by the Department of Health and Human Services encouraging people to report “tips and complaints on the mutilation of children” — a direct attack on medical professionals who provide healthcare for transgender youth. Source: HHS.gov April 1, 2025: The Trump Administration is trying to change insurance requirements so they can deprive trans people of the healthcare they need. Use the public comment tool from our partners at Advocates 4 Trans Equality to tell the Administration to keep their hands off transgender healthcare! March 5, 2025: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “alerted providers of their obligation” to follow Donald Trump’s Executive Order regarding transgender healthcare. Source: CMS Press Office February 18, 2025: A second federal judge in Washington state has blocked Trump’s executive order banning healthcare from transgender youth from being enforced. Source: The Advocate February 13, 2025: A federal judge in Maryland has blocked Trump’s executive order banning healthcare from transgender youth from being enforced. Source: The Washington Post TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN SPORTS May 27, 2026: Maine’s Secretary of State announced this week that a proposed ban on transgender athletes playing sports would not appear on the November ballot following a series of questions about signature gathering that disqualified thousands of petitions. The group spearheading the initiative, Protect Girls Sports in Maine, has filed an appeal with the Secretary of State’s office. Similar anti-trans sports ballot initiatives in states like Missouri and Nevada may still make their states’ ballots, pending signature verification. Source: The Advocate March 18, 2026: The Nevada Commission on Ethics found Wednesday that Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony violated state ethics laws when he used state resources to promote an anti-transgender “task force” with the goal of keeping transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The five-member panel voted 3-2 to assess Anthony a $3,000 civil penalty, have him undergo ethics training, and require his office to create an official social media policy. Source: Newsbreak January 16, 2026: Faced with stagnant poll numbers in this year’s gubernatorial challenge, Governor Joe Lombardo was recorded at an event for his supporters saying an anti-transgender ballot initiative would “motivate people to vote.” Lombardo’s Democratic challengers — AG Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill — who have condemned the proposed initiative as discriminatory and a political ploy. Source: Nevada Independent January 7, 2026: Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced Wednesday he’s leading a petition to amend the Nevada Constitution to keep transgender athletes out of girls’ and women’s sports. With Nevada recently ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment as part of its state constitution, legal challenges are bound to arise. Read Silver State Equality’s official statement here. Source: Nevada Independent November 25, 2025: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent letters to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and 17 other “liberal” state officials demanding a progress report on their compliance with the Trump Executive Order Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports. Source: Sen. Cassidy Press Office November 13, 2025: The Court has scheduled oral arguments in two cases — West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox — for January 13, 2026. Both cases focus on challenges brought by transgender students against laws that ban trans women and girls from athletic participation based on their gender identity. Since 2020, 27 states have passed laws banning transgender youth from playing on school sports teams. Source: Lambda Legal Press Office May 28, 2025: Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from California due to one transgender athlete competing in the State Track and Field Championships. The same day, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced a new “pilot program” which would allow additional athletes to advance to finals if a transgender athlete is among the top finishers. Transgender youth are not political pawns, and we call on CIF to uphold California’s commitment to inclusion. Source: NY Times May 21, 2025: The ACLU of Nevada announced this week that it views a recent policy change from the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA)—which bans transgender students from playing sports—as unconstitutional. The organization also indicated that they plan to sue any school districts that comply with the policy. Source: Reno Gazette Journal May 3, 2025: The Trump administration has agreed to restore federal funding for education programs in Maine, ending a freeze sparked by the president’s opposition to the state’s policies on transgender athletes. Source: MSNBC April 25, 2025: The NSHE (Nevada System of Higher Education) stated that they are barred by state law from taking any action to prevent transgender athletes from participating in sports. Nevada’s existing equal rights law has protections in place for transgender people, and per NSHE associate general counsel Lynda King, “Until such time that we have federal law that preempts or overrides that state constitution, we are limited in our ability to advise.” Source: Yahoo! April 24, 2025: State Sen. Melanie Scheible, D-Las Vegas, condemned the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s decision to ban transgender athletes from girls’ high school sports, calling it offensive and appalling during an appearance on Nevada Newsmakers. Scheible, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the move for targeting a small group of transgender student-athletes. Source: Nevada Appeal April 16, 2025: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Trump Administration is suing the state of Maine for not complying with the government’s push to ban transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. Attorney General Bondi also warned that states including California and Minnesota could face additional lawsuits. Source: AP News April 2, 2025: The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA), which governs athletics at more than 120 high schools throughout the state — passed a new policy that limits students to playing sports that align with the sex listed on their “unaltered original birth certificate.” Source: AP News February 12, 2025: Two transgender athletes in New Hampshire have filed suit challenging the Trump administration’s executive order banning transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ sports. Source: CNN LGBTQ+ CIVIL RIGHTS June 3, 2026: A new poll from Gallup shows that acceptance of same-sex marriage has flattened for the first time in nearly a decade due in large part to growing Republican disapproval. 65% of U.S. adults believe marriage equality should be legal, down from 71% in 2022 & 2023. Additionally, the partisan divide over issues relevant to transgender people — youth in particular — continues to widen. Only 4 in 10 Americans believe accessing transition-related care and resources is “morally acceptable.” Sources: AP News, Gallup June 2, 2026: In perhaps one of the more naked displays of anti-LGBTQ+ animus, governors in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee and Utah have bestowed new titles on the month of June as “alternative counterprogramming” to Pride celebrations. Indiana and Tennessee have declared June as Nuclear Family Month, Arkansas and Utah have decided to recognize it as Fidelity Month, and Alabama is calling June Strong Families Month. At least four other GOP-led states have called for similar name changes, which come amidst an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ attacks from federal and state governments. Source: AP News May 28, 2026: U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols declined to stay an executive order from Donald Trump that tightens restrictions on mail-in voting. The executive order requires the U.S. Postal Service to only deliver mail-in ballots to voters on individual states’ approved mail-in ballot lists. In his order, Nichols wrote that the plaintiffs — including high-ranking Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer — had brought the litigation too early and that no harms had been suffered as of yet. Source: NBC News May 12, 2026: Led by “counterterrorism chief advisor” Sebastian Gorka — himself a noted anti-LGBTQ+, far-right extremist — the White House’s official Counterterrorism Strategy was released this week with particular focuses on “left-wing extremists, narcoterrorists, and Islamist terrorists.” The document attempts in part to link incidents of violence to the transgender community at large, and promises to “cripple” groups that advocate for the community financially and via law enforcement. Source: POLITICO April 30, 2026: This week a Department of Justice “task force” issued a 200-page report on “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias within the Federal Government,” which contains over 400 mentions of gender identity, sexual orientation, and other words and phrases commonly associated with LGBTQ+ civil rights. The report objects at length to Biden-era decisions on everything from the Bostock Supreme Court case to the Equality Act, Pride flags, Transgender Day of Visibility, and more. Additionally, it also rails against reproductive healthcare and vaccines; a further report containing policy recommendations is expected in 2027. Source: DOJ Press Office April 28, 2026: The Department of Housing and Urban Development is accepting public comments on a proposed rule that would remove references to “gender” and “gender identity” from agency regulations and replace them with “sex,” defined as a person’s biological classification as male or female. This decision would repeal an Obama-era rule that ensured housing programs are open without regard to gender identity. The new rule also would allow owners or operators of shelters and other facilities that permit single-sex or sex-specific facilities “…to require reasonable assurances and evidence to confirm the sex of an individual seeking service.” National Housing Law Center Chief Program Officer Deborah Thrope said the proposal would “[force] more housing insecure people to live on the street rather than in shelter.” Source: Stateline April 23, 2026: The Federal Communications Commission, led by Chair Brandon Carr, opened public comments this week seeking input on whether the current TV Parental Guidelines rating system should be changed to address the presence of TGI characters or storylines. The move comes under the guise of providing “accurate and sufficient information” for parents, but is just the latest in an attempt by the administration to rase transgender people from public life. Though the FCC’s direct authority over the TV ratings system is limited, the FCC retains enormous coercive power over broadcast networks and their parent companies, including streamers. GLAAD, the leading LGBTQ+ media watchdog, responded: “This is about more than television. It’s about whether a government agency gets to reshape culture, limit storytelling, and undermine free expression.” Sources: The Advocate; FCC Press Office April 21, 2026: Under a new law passed by the Iowa legislature, potential foster and adoptive parents could not be disqualified based on their beliefs regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Both foster care advocates as well as the state’s official contractor for foster placements have spoken out against the bill, saying it imposes unnecessary mandates on an already-strained system. The bill, SF 473, now heads to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk for signature. Source: Iowa Public Radio April 16, 2026: According to a new court filing from the Justice Department, the Pentagon has begun initiating involuntary separation actions against at least two current servicemembers. One proposed amendment would have imposed bathroom restrictions based on “sex assigned at birth” in government buildings, while another would have restricted access to healthcare for trans youth. Cadet Hunter Marquez and First Lieutenant Sean Kersch-Hamer, both members of the Air Force, are challenging the administration’s transgender military ban in the case of Talbott v. United States; the ban is currently stayed pending further legal action. Source: The Advocate April 3, 2026: The Trump administration’s proposed FY2027 (Fiscal Year 2027) budget is a continuation of the federal government’s ongoing campaign against the LGBTQ+ community. Included in the proposal are $2 billion in cuts to HIV-specific services as well as the elimination of HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS), the primary federal housing program for people living with HIV; termination of trans healthcare programs; defunding of fair housing protections; and a $5 billion cut at NIH eliminating research on trans health, HIV, and sexual health. Source: HRC Press Office April 2, 2026: On Thursday, Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi from her position as United States Attorney General, capping a turbulent 14-month term in which her Department of Justice repeatedly sought to intimidate the LGBTQ+ community and erode civil rights. Among her many gross miscarriages of justice, Bondi oversaw efforts to obtain private medical records of minors who had received transition-related care and gutted the DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights. She will be replaced by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on an interim basis for the immediate future. Source: The New York Times March 31, 2026: In spite of a majority-Republican state legislature, Democratic WI governor Tony Evers honored his pledge to veto anti-LGBTQ+ bills that cross his desk, vetoing five anti-trans bills on Trans Day of Visibility. The bills included anti-trans sports bans on the K-12 and university level, mandatory forced outing of students by teachers, a ban on transition-related care for minors, and a bill that would enable a “private cause of action” against medical professionals who offer such care. Source: Erin in the Morning March 27, 2026: Friday morning, the Idaho Senate passed the most extreme anti-transgender bathroom ban in the United States by a vote of 28-7, which applies to both public buildings and private businesses and carries severe criminal penalties. A first offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail; a second offense within five years would be a felony carrying up to five years in state prison. Under Idaho’s “persistent violator” statute, a transgender person convicted of a fourth bathroom offense — their third felony — could face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison. Source: Erin in the Morning March 26, 2026: On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced their decision to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s categories at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Furthermore, all participants in women’s divisions will be required to undergo genetic testing. Affected athletes are expected to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), athletics’ highest legal authority. Source: The New York Times March 25, 2026: On Wednesday, the Ohio House’s Republican majority passed HB 249, a bill that would ban drag and “gender performances” outside of so-called “adult cabarets,” or in any public venue where a minor may be present. The bill also contains language that conservative lawmakers have already indicated they would use to target transgender Ohioans using public locker rooms and bathrooms. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Source: The Buckeye Flame March 18, 2026: A bill that would clear the way for the long-delayed American Women’s History Museum to be built on the National Mall was cruelly amended by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) with an anti-transgender provision on Wednesday. The amendment states that the museum “may not depict any biological male as female,” aligning with Trump’s 2025 executive order to end “corrosive ideology” at the Smithsonian and monuments across the country. Previously enjoying bipartisan support, the vote fell along party lines after Democrats pulled their support. Source: Roll Call March 18, 2026: Four states — with more potentially in the works — have already qualified anti-transgender ballot initiatives for the 2026 Midterm Elections. Missouri is seeking to ban transition-related care for trans youth as well as roll back voter-approved abortion protections from 2024. Colorado’s initiatives include both a trans youth healthcare ban and a ban on trans students participating on sports teams that align with their gender identity. Maine voters will be asked to approve a similar sports ban in addition to a measure that would require use of public facilities to be based on “sex assigned at birth.” Washington’s effort seeks to require verification from a medical provider that a student was assigned female at birth — along with sensitive medical records about genetics, anatomy, and testosterone levels — before allowing them to play girls’ or women’s sports. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is also seeking to place a transgender athlete ban on his state’s 2026 ballot, but it has not yet qualified. Source: The Advocate March 13, 2026: Nearly one year after removing gender identity from protected categories in the state’s civil rights code, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation this week that bars local governments from restoring such protections via local ordinances. Several progressive jurisdictions like Des Moines and Iowa City still protected trans Iowans in local ordinances, but that concerned the Republican-controlled legislature enough to pass legislation preempting local rules. Source: The Advocate March 12, 2026: The Trump White House used a Women’s History Month proclamation to reiterate its anti-trans policy objectives: “We are keeping men out of women’s sports, enforcing Title IX as it was originally written, and ensuring colleges preserve — and, where possible, expand — scholarships and roster opportunities for female athletes.” Source: White House Press Office March 9, 2026: Trump’s HHS Department, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has proposed the removal of federal regulations that ensure LGBTQ+ foster youth are placed in safe and affirming homes. The Administration of Children and Families announced via the Federal Register that it intended to remove requirements for children “who self-identify with an alternative sexual orientation or…something other than their sex.” Assistant HHS Secretary Alex Adams commented, “Parents have the right to raise their children according to their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions.” Source: The Advocate March 5, 2026: Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — the most senior Democrats on the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee respectively — were joined by California Rep. Sara Jacobs in reintroducing the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act. This bill would establish a commission to investigate the historic and ongoing impacts of discriminatory military policies on LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans. Approximately 114,000 servicemembers were discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation between WWII and 2011, while an estimated 870,000 LGBTQ+ servicemembers have been impacted by hostility, harassment, assault, and law enforcement targeting due to the military policies in place. Equality California is proud to sponsor this legislation. Source: Rep. Mark Takano Press Office February 23, 2026: The National Women’s Law Center and nine survivor advocacy organizations sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding that the Department of Education fulfill its Title IX duties by investigating and resolving pending complaints. To date the Office of Civil Rights, led by Kim Richey, has resolved zero complaints of sexual harassment or violence in 2025 and opened fewer than 10 sexual violence investigations since March 2025. Source: NWLC Text of Letter February 12, 2026: Rep. Primila Jayapal (D-WA) — herself the parent of a transgender child — and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), reintroduced legislation known as the Transgender Bill of Rights in both the House and Senate on Thursday. “We are laying out a comprehensive vision to provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people — a vision that ensures that every single person has a chance to thrive,” said Jayapal in a legislative press conference. Source: LGBTQ Nation February 11, 2026: By a vote of 218-213, the House passed the SAVE (Safeguarding American Values Everywhere) Act on Wednesday. A top Trump priority introduced by MAGA Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), it would require would-be voters to present proof of citizenship to register, eliminate mail-only registrations, require voters to present photo ID at the polls in every state, and mandate voter roll purges every 30 days. This bill passed as Trump has made recent comments about “nationalizing” elections and continuing to push unfounded and false accusations of rampant voter fraud. Source: NBC News February 3, 2026: The Congressional Equaity Caucus slammed the House Judiciary Committee for advancing H.R. 1028, — the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act — which they argue should be more accurately called the “Sexual Predator Empowerment Act.” They warned it could lead to invasive gender checks for young girls and does nothing to actually protect women and youth in sports. Instead, lawmakers say it’s a politically motivated attack on LGBTQ+ kids and a distraction from real issues like harassment and unequal resources. Source: Congressional Equality Caucus Press Office January 30, 2026: A group of 47 conservative organizations is launching a campaign to challenge the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 Supreme Court decision that guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide. The campaign debuted alongside a video that seeks to recast marriage equality not as a civil rights milestone but as a policy failure that privileges adult equality over children’s needs. Source: The Advocate January 27, 2026: On Tuesday. CA Representatives Mark Takano and Sara Jacobs and CT Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act, which would establish a commission to investigate the impact of discriminatory policies on LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans. The bill was filed on the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump re-instituting a ban on transgender military service. Source: The Advocate January 22, 2026: The EEOC voted 2-1 to rescind the latest version of its harassment guidance, also skipping the standard notice and comment period. Issued in 2024, the document included several references to the 2020 Bostock Supreme Court ruling — which held that the Civil Rights Act prevented workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity — and included examples of prohibited conduct. The dissenting vote came from Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal, who remarked, “The Commission is throwing out the baby with the bathwater…and worse, is doing so without public input.” Source: NPR January 20, 2026: Congressional Democrats successfully stripped all anti-transgender policy riders from the final appropriations bills funding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Labor, and other agencies. These bills contained some of the most sweeping anti-trans provisions proposed in recent history—including language that would have blocked federal funds for gender-affirming care and targeted schools that support transgender students—but the most recent versions released by Congress contain none of those harmful riders. Source: Erin in the Morning January 6, 2026: On December 29, the EEOC requested White House approval to rescind 2024 workplace anti-harassment guidance as a “final rule,” and therefore provide no opportunity for public comment. In response, EEO Leaders — a nonpartisan group of former senior officials from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — issued a sharp response, charging that the rescission would weaken enforcement of federal antidiscrimination law and deprive employers and workers of guidance for preventing and addressing workplace harassment. The response also stressed that the Supreme Court’s Bostock ruling prohibition on sex discrimination includes SOGI. Source: EEO Leaders Press Office December 17, 2025: The landing page of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division has been updated with a series of questions targeting various communities, including LGBTQ+ people and immigrants. Among the questions posed: “Have you been affected by DEI?” “Do you have evidence of non-citizens voting in elections?” “Have you been sterilized by transgender hormones/surgery?” Source: DOJ Civil Rights Division Homepage December 9, 2025: Formerly employed members of the Justice Department have signed an open letter calling attention to the “near destruction of DOJ’s once-revered crown jewel” by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Harmett Dhillon. The employees allege that Bondi and Dhillon have killed important cases to protect people from sexual harassment and assault, reduce voting inequity, and protect the most vulnerable Americans. Source: Reuters December 4, 2025: In a new memo, the DOJ has ordered prison inspectors to stop evaluating facilities using standards designed to protect transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex people from sexual violence. The new guidance was issued as part of the department’s agenda to revise federal standards to align with an Executive Order from earlier this year related to “gender ideology extremism.” Data shows that TGI people historically are more vulnerable to violence while incarcerated, and advocates say this action opens the door to acute harm. Source: NPR December 1, 2025: As Congress works on must-pass funding bills, the Human Rights Campaign is out with a new report detailing the latest attempts to hijack those bills with anti-LGBTQ+ riders. Across 12 bills, MAGA members of Congress have proposed more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions – just weeks after voters rejected desperate anti-trans campaigns at the ballot box and sent a message demanding that leaders focus on the country’s pressing crises. Source: HRC November 13, 2025: The longest government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday evening after the House voted 222-209, largely along party lines, to pass a bill that will fund the government through January 30. The bill was quickly signed into law by the President, and importantly, contained no anti-LGBTQ+ provisions. Several Democratic lawmakers, including Nevada Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez-Masto, faced public criticism over their votes to join Republicans’ efforts to end the shutdown based on empty promises of future votes on extensions for ACA premium tax credits. Source: NPR November 4, 2025: On Tuesday, voters from coast to coast went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted for pro-equality candidates and issues, showing a clear disapproval of the Trump administration. California voters approved Proposition 50, which will allow for temporary redistricting to fight MAGA power grabs in states like Texas; Abigail Spanberger won the governor’s race in Virginia; Mikie Sherrill proved victorious in the New Jersey gubernatorial race; and Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral race. Source: CBS News October 24, 2025: Alex Adams, the director of HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, has ordered California and four other states to “review, and where necessary, amend” policies that bar foster parents from certification for not accepting children’s gender identities. Letters sent by Adams claim that such requirements violate caregivers’ First Amendment rights. Source: Imprint News October 23, 2025: A federal judge struck down a rule extending federal healthcare nondiscrimination protections to transgender people on Wednesday. The rule, finalized in 2024, clarified that providers and insurers receiving federal funds could not deny services — including gender-affirming care — if they would offer the same treatment to others. Source: The Hill October 6, 2025: Powerful Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) called on the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations and their funders that “fiscally sponsor projects that disrupt college campuses, incite violence and intimidation, and cause illegal riots.” Critics fear nonprofits focused on free speech, immigrant rights, civil rights, and restorative justice would face the most immediate threat. Source: Ways and Means Press Office September 11, 2025: Senate Republicans on Thursday invoked the “nuclear option” to change the chamber’s rules to allow all executive branch nominees — with the exception of Cabinet posts and judges — to be approved in groups and with less debate. Democrats had drawn out the process of voting on President Donald Trump’s nominees because they argue the nominees are unqualified. Source: Washington Post September 10, 2025: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), run by noted Project 2025 author Russell Vought, is considering a proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services to drop a requirement that child welfare providers place LGBTQ+ children in safe and affirming foster care households, and to ensure that all placements are free from harassment, mistreatment, or abuse. Source: OMB September 10, 2025: The National Defense Authorization Act passed the House by a vote of 231-196, which included Nevada’s Susie Lee and Steven Horsford among 17 Democratic ‘Aye’ votes. Among the anti-LGBTQ+ riders attached to the bill were a ban on Pride flags at federal facilities, and restricted access to transgender medical care for servicemembers and their families. The more controversial riders are expected to fail under Senate consideration. Source: POLITICO August 26, 2025: The Trevor Project, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness filed an amicus brief in Chiles vs. Salazar, a conversion therapy case that the Supreme Court will consider next term. The case seeks to overturn a Colorado state law which prohibits LGBTQ+ minors from being subjected to so-called “conversion therapy” by licensed mental health professionals. Similar amicus briefs were filed by 186 Members of Congress and 21 Attorneys Generals, including those from CA and NV. Oral arguments are scheduled on October 7. Source: Supreme Court August 20, 2025: GLAD Law, the LGBTQ+ legal organization that has actively advanced marriage equality for decades, reports that while the Supreme Court has not yet decided if it will hear Kim Davis’ petition to overturn the Obergefell 2015 marriage equality ruling, the case involves a specific and narrow legal issue and it would be highly unusual for the Supreme Court to take it up. Source: GLAD Law August 7, 2025: On Thursday, the U.S. Air Force announced it would deny all transgender servicemembers with between 15 and 18 years of service the opportunity for early retirement. Said servicemembers will instead be given a choice — take a lump-sum payout offered to junior officers, or be separated from service with no retirement benefits. This move is just the latest in the Trump administration’s efforts to ban transgender people from serving in the military, which the Supreme Court cleared the way for them to do this May. Source: AP August 5, 2025: The most recent annual crime report released by the FBI this week shows that while overall violent crime in the U.S. continues to decline, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are on the rise. According to data submitted to the FBI by local jurisdictions, attacks based on a victim’s sexual orientation comprise 17.2% of all hate crimes, while 4% are on the basis of a victim’s gender identity or expression. Source: Human Rights Campaign July 29, 2025: The Trump Administration is flipping the definition of ‘discrimination’ on its head in pursuit of its hateful agenda. New guidance from the DOJ includes provisions that specifically target transgender youth in both sports and public accommodations. Additionally, it also directs entities that receive federal funding to not be involved in any programs or initiatives related to DEI, claiming it is a “discriminatory practice.” Source: DOJ Press Office July 28, 2025: The Trump Administration released a new memo addressing religious expression among federal workers that, among other points, outlines that employees can attempt to persuade co-workers about why their religion is “correct.” This follows a previous executive order concerning “anti-Christian” bias. Source: The Hill July 17, 2025: The Republican-led House has inserted anti-LGBTQ+ riders into multiple FY2026 Appropriations bills to date. This includes necessary funding for Commerce Justice and Science, National Security and State, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Energy & Water. The various riders would ban funding for transgender healthcare in federal facilities, ban funding to advance DEI initiatives, and forbid the flying of the Pride flag among other directives. Source: Congress.gov (Bill Text) July 14, 2025: Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41), Chair of the House Defense Appropriations Committee, introduced an FY26 defense spending bill rife with anti-LGBTQ+ provisions. These include a ban on gender-affirming care for servicemembers and their minor dependents, as well as a prohibition on changing duty stations for parents seeking said care for their child. Additionally, it restricts access to abortion and reproductive care, forbids discriminatory action against people with “sincerely held religious beliefs” that are anti-marriage equality, and guts programs that address diversity, equity and inclusion. House leadership rammed a vote through late Thursday evening, which was decried in a statement from the Equality Caucus. Source: Congress.gov (Bill Text) June 25, 2025: Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Global Respect Act in the Senate this week. This pro-equality bill would require the executive branch to submit to Congress a list of foreign people who commit or are complicit in gross anti-LGBTQ+ human rights abuses. It would also authorize the administration to deny or revoke visas of said individuals. Rep Sarah McBride (D-DE) will soon introduce the House counterpart bill. Source: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Press Office June 4, 2025: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Navy announced this week—the start of Pride month—that the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler, would be renamed. The ship currently bears the name of the legendary LGBTQ+ civil rights leader and San Francisco Supervisor who was brutally murdered in 1978. No reason was given for the change. Source: NBC News May 29, 2025: Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42), the first LGBTQ+ immigrant elected to Congress, announced his candidacy to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. The position has been left vacant following the death of longtime Congressman Gerry Connolly — if elected, Garcia would hold one of the House’s most influential positions. Source: Axios May 22, 2025: Lawmakers passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 2, recognizing the commercial district near Paradise Road and East Naples Drive—long known informally as the “Fruit Loop”—as Clark County’s newest historical landmark. Home to LGBTQ+ nightlife since Club Black Magic opened in 1954, the area’s legacy is now officially honored. Source: Las Vegas Weekly May 21, 2025: Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) unveiled legislation on Wednesday aimed at protecting transgender people both currently serving and seeking to enlist in the military. The bill would ban the Department of Defense from disqualifying transgender people from service, or involuntarily separating them due to a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Source: The Hill May 19, 2025: Renewed scrutiny is being paid to a little-noticed directive from the DOJ threatening organizations that receive federal funding with a False Claim Act violation if they “promote divisive DEI policies.” Organizations that work in racial justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and immigration may be particularly vulnerable. Source: Justice.gov May 12, 2025: GLAAD released its annual social media survey on Tuesday, which shows that LGBTQ+ people’s safety has plummeted across various platforms. TikTok scored highest, while X finished in last place. Source: GLAAD May 11, 2025: LGBT Tech announced the creation of a resource bank to collect and preserve LGBTQ+ specific guidance that has disappeared from federal websites since the inauguration. This includes health advisories, community support tools, civil rights policy, and more. Source: LGBTQ Archive April 30, 2025: Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the Equality Act, landmark civil rights legislation that would enact federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, employment, public accommodations, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, and more. Source: Rep. Takano Press Office February 26, 2025: A memo submitted by the Department of Defense as part of an existing lawsuit—challenging Donald Trump’s executive order concerning transgender military service—revealed that DoD will begin removing transgender servicemembers beginning in March. Source: NPR IDENTITY DOCUMENTS April 9, 2026: On Monday, Mississippi sent SB 2322 to Republican Governor Tate Reeves’ desk, which bans gender marker changes on driver’s licenses for trans people across the state. This follows similar legislation in Kansas, though the bill does not immediately invalidate existing licenses without warning as did Kansas’. However, when a trans Mississippian’s license is due for renewal, they would be forced to sign for and carry identification that does not match their gender identity. Reeves is expected to sign the bill into law; he has previously signed every anti-trans bill to reach his desk, including a youth healthcare ban, a sports ban, and bathroom ban. Source: The Advocate April 1, 2026: Republican Idaho governor Brad Little signed one of 2026’s most virulent anti-trans bills this week, making it a felony for transgender people to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. What’s more, Little signed the legislation, HB 752, on Transgender Day of Visibility as LGBTQ+ advocates rallied outside the statehouse. Per the bill’s language, a first offense is punishable by up to one year in jail. A second conviction within five years can be charged as a felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Notably, multiple law enforcement groups including the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association spoke out against the bill, saying enforcement would be extremely difficult. Source: The Advocate March 18, 2026: New York State Supreme Court Judge James Walsh has been admonished by the Court’s Appellate Division for refusing to seal name change cases for transgender New Yorkers over the past two years. Walsh has claimed that “public interest concerns” outweigh petitioners’ fears of harassment or discrimination, but appellate judges have said that safety and security concerns must take precedence. Automatic sealing already happens in NY cases involving custody, divorce, and adoption — all of which hold the potential for name changes. Source: The Advocate March 12, 2026: The Oklahoma House’s Republican majority voted to pass two anti-LGBTQ+ bills this week. The first would prohibit any gender marker changes to birth certificates, undermining transgender identities. The second bans government institutions from flying Pride flags or recognizing Pride month. Both measures now head to the Oklahoma Senate. Source: The Advocate February 26, 2026: Kansas Republicans overrode Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of legislation that requires IDs such as drivers licenses to reflect a person’s “biological sex” at birth. The new law will invalidate upward of 2,000 IDs currently issued to TGI Kansans. Another terrifying aspect of the law creates what Lambda Legal calls a “bounty hunter regime,” which incentivizes private citizens to file a civil action of up to $1,000 against people who use a restroom not of their “biological sex.” Source: TIME Magazine December 1, 2025: An interim final rule issued by DOD immediately deletes the option for military retirees, dependents, and contractor employees to request gender marker changes in their military ID records. Because registration in the military’s central records system is required for TRICARE eligibility and enrollment, this will likely cause significant difficulties for the transgender dependents of servicemembers. Source: Federal Register November 19, 2025: Just one day after the U.S. State Department updated its website to state “all passports” held by transgender Americans would remain valid until their expiration date, it again changed the wording that passports with X markers — or that list a sex different from that assigned at birth — would remain valid unless they are “invalidated pursuant to federal regulations.” LGBTQ+ advocates fear this provision may open the door to future discrimination against transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming and intersex community members. Source: State Department Official Website November 6, 2025: In a “shadow docket” ruling on Thursday, the Court’s conservative majority sided with the Trump administration to reinstate restrictions preventing transgender people from having accurate gender markers on their passports. The ACLU posted a response to the ruling stating, “This fight isn’t over. Our case challenging President Trump’s executive order will still move forward. In the meantime anyone who applies for a new, corrected, or replacement passport, or for a passport renewal, is at risk of having their passport issued bearing the sex they were assigned at birth.” Source: New York Times October 3, 2025: Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the so-called ‘Passport Sanity Act’, which would prohibit the State Department from issuing passports or consular reports of birth abroad with an ‘X’ gender marker, and require applications to offer only Male or Female designations. Source: Sen. Marshall Press Office September 9, 2025: A federal judge ruled in favor of six transgender plaintiffs who sued the Trump administration for its repeated attempts to end the issuance of passports with X gender markers by issuing a temporary injunction. In the interim, the State Department was ordered to continue processing passport applications. Source: Lambda Legal Press Office August 4, 2025: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy update that will restrict visa eligibility for transgender women competing in women’s sports. Since taking office in January, the administration has relentlessly attacked the transgender community, with a particular focus on both healthcare and participation in sports. It is unclear how many athletes this decision may affect, as the number of out transgender athletes around the world remains low. Source: NBC News July 10, 2025: CBP set a 90-day deadline, beginning July 14th, during which airlines can accept ‘X’ gender markers on passports. When the deadline expires in mid-October, passengers will have to resubmit any travel reservations that no not reflect an ‘M’ or ‘F’ in the gender field — even if the passport holder is in possession of a valid ‘X’ marker passport. Source: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Policy Memo July 8, 2025: The State Department has begun to comply with an expanded preliminary injunction in the case of Orr v. Trump, which concerns the ability of transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming and intersex (TGI) people to receive accurate passports. The ACLU is urging members of the TGI community to update or renew their passports as soon as possible. Source: LGBTQ Nation May 12, 2025: Lambda Legal has asked a federal court in Maryland to block an anti-LGBTQ+ passport policy from taking effect pending legal action. The policy, drafted by the State Department under Secretary Marco Rubio, denies transgender and gender nonconforming people accurate passports that reflect their gender identity. Source: Lambda Legal Press Office April 10, 2025: The SAVE Act, an extreme right-wing bill that seeks to make it harder for Americans to vote, passed the House on Thursday. The bill disproportionately affects minority and migrant communities as well as LGBTQ+ people, and also stands to disenfranchise up to 70 million American women whose married name does not match that on their birth certificate. Source: The Hill February 11, 2025: A leaked memo from inside the U.S. State Department details how anti-transgender policies regarding passports will be implemented, including the elimination of the ‘X’ gender marker on newly-issued documents. These rules will make it infinitely harder for transgender, gender-nonconforming, and intersex people to obtain correct passports. Source: TruthOut LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN SCHOOLS May 26, 2026: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, along with a coalition of 44 bipartisan attorneys general, sent a letter to Congress this week opposing the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, which would preempt state laws governing online safety and technology issues, including chatbots, and replace them with ineffective federal standards. Source: California AG Rob Bonta Press Office May 20, 2026: Governor Henry McMaster signed a law this week that segregates bathrooms, locker rooms, student housing and changing rooms at public K-12 schools and colleges by “sex assigned at birth.” While the law allows single-user restrooms be available on request, the statute is written such that “porta-potties” qualify as adequate accommodations. The ACLU slammed the law, saying it will make life harder for students who already face increased risks of bullying, harassment, and violence. Source: The Advocate May 6, 2026: The Trevor Project has released its 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which surveyed 16,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 across the U.S. The findings show that rates of suicidality and risks of self-harming behavior have increased over the past year in large part due to growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, particularly from the federal government. Among the key findings, 36% of LGBTQ+ youth say they seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Source: The Trevor Project April 28, 2026: Earlier this week, the House Rules Committee discussed House Bill 2616 (the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their [PROTECT] Kids Act), which would require any public elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding to require parental consent to change a child’s gender expression in school. This includes getting approval before allowing children to use their preferred locker room or bathroom. LGBTQ+ rights advocates have criticized these efforts, as it raises issues of at-home safety — especially if the home is not LGBTQ+-affirming — and could lead to the outing of transgender students. Source: Los Angeles Blade April 9, 2026: Glisten (formerly GLSEN) released its 2025 National School Climate Survey this week — a biannual report measuring the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 schools — and the results show hostility toward LGBTQ+ youth has increased, and students feel increasingly unsafe. Among the report’s key findings, 86% of trans students purposely avoid certain areas of their campuses, 62% of LGBTQ+ youth experience harassment due to their sexual orientation, and 68% experience the same due to their gender identity or expression. The report surveyed 2,800 students across the country. Source: Glisten April 7, 2026: In its continued assault on trans students, the Department of Education has terminated agreements with five K-12 schools and one college meant to uphold civil rights protections. Among the previously-negotiated federal obligations were continued faculty training on abiding by a student’s preferred name and pronouns, and allowing them to use restrooms that align with their gender identity. Source: AP News February 18, 2026: A U.S. District Court judge in New Hampshire issued a final ruling on Wednesday negating the Department of Education’s 2025 directive that sought to prevent federally funded schools and universities from practicing diversity, equity and inclusion. “This ruling affirms what educators and communities have long known: celebrating the full existence of every person and sharing the truth about our history is essential,” said Sharif El-Mekki, CEO at The Center for Black Educator Development, one of the organizations that originally filed suit to block the DOE’s guidance. Source: UPI February 13, 2026: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to cut grant funding to New York City Public Schools over its transgender-inclusive policies. In the brief, the coalition argues that transgender-inclusive policies are not only permitted under Title IX, but also protect transgender youth from serious harms and foster a safe and more supportive school environment for all students. Source: California AG Rob Bonta Press Office February 11, 2026: Attorneys General from 19 states, including Nevada, have secured an agreement with the Trump administration to abandon its effort to yank federal funding from K-12 schools that refuse to scrap diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. “Our responsibility is to Nevada’s students and families, not to shifting political interpretations that have no basis in law,” Nevada AG Aaron Ford said. Source: Reno Gazette Journal January 14, 2026: On Wednesday, the Trump Department of Education announced the launch of 18 “Title IX investigations” into schools nationwide — including two in Nevada — for allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports. These investigations appear to be part of the administration’s broader pressure campaign to intimidate schools with transgender-inclusive policies. Notably, the announcements came the same day the Supreme Court heard high-stakes oral arguments related to transgender participation in sports. Source: KTVN October 21, 2025: U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken issued a ruling on Tuesday which blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to erase LGBTQ+ students from federally-funded sex education programs. The administration’s directive sought to force states to censor or rewrite sexual health curricula in order to receive Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funds — programs that Congress designed to provide medically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive education to young people. Source: SIECUS Press Office July 8, 2025: In recently filed documents, the department’s Office of Civil Rights disclosed that nearly 3,500 civil rights complaints were dismissed or “resolved” because of insufficient evidence. Under the current administration, “discrimination” no longer includes sexual orientation or gender identity complaints, or challenges to bans on LGBTQ+ inclusive books. Source: POLITICO June 10, 2025: The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funding to California as Donald Trump continues to feud with the state over a number of issues, from ongoing immigration raids across Los Angeles to inclusive policies for transgender kids in sports. The nearly $8 billion in federal funding supports programs including those for low-income students and students with disabilities. Source: POLITICO April 3, 2025: The Department of Education—which Donald Trump has directed to shut down—threatened to withhold federal funding from K-12 schools unless they verify elimination of all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives. Source: DOE Press Office March 20, 2025: Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin “eliminating the federal Department of Education once and for all.” Source: AP News February 27, 2025: The Department introduced a new “End DEI” web portal this week, encouraging parents to file complaints about any school districts still utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or principles. Source: The Hill LGBTQ+ HEALTH AND WELLNESS May 26, 2026: The Florida legislature has reached a compromise that will restore eligibility standards and access to HIV medication, and reverse cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The deal restores eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level, reverses drug restrictions imposed by the Florida Department of Health, and provides $75 million to run the program. The agreement also restores access to medications that had been removed from coverage, including Biktarvy, a commonly prescribed HIV medication. Source: CBS 12 News FL May 8, 2026: The Department of State has announced that it will end CDC support of PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) by September 30 of this year. The program, launched with bipartisan support by President George W. Bush in 2003, has saved the lives of over 26 million people in poor countries living with HIV. PEPFAR had previously suffered a blow in 2025 when the Trump administration dismantled USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development), upending other HIV initiatives in several countries. Critics warn this action could lead to a backslide in prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Source: Science Magazine May 4, 2026: In an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and a coalition of 22 AGs along with the Governor of Pennsylvania argued that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s May 1, 2026 ruling, which would restrict access to the abortion drug mifepristone, is not supported by science, would create regulatory and administrative chaos nationwide, and would interfere with states’ ability to protect access to reproductive health care within their borders. Shortly after the coalition filed the amicus brief, Justice Samuel Alito granted an administrative stay, temporarily pausing the Fifth Circuit’s ruling until Monday, May 11, 2026, while the Court considers applications for a full stay. Source: AG Bonta Press Office April 22, 2026: HHS Secretary Kennedy confirmed in a Senate hearing that specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth at the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline will be restored after it was abruptly cut last summer. A recent study has found that after the launch of the hotline in 2022, suicide deaths among teens and young adults were about 11% lower than expected, amounting to roughly 4,400 fewer deaths through 2024. Source: AP News April 21, 2026: Mike Reid, the chief science officer for the U.S. flagship global HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, left his role this week and criticized the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign assistance. In a post on Substack, Reid criticized the administration as “authoritarian,” and at odds with the “inherently anti-fascist” work of global health. A spokesperson from the State Department said Reid departed by mutual agreement after he “admitted he could no longer provide nonpartisan scientific advice.” Advocates have expressed alarm as PEPFAR data for the last quarter of 2025 showed a sharp decrease in the numbers of new people being tested, diagnosed, or treated for HIV. Source: Reuters March 26, 2026: A record 130 House Members joined a letter led by Representatives Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health requesting increased Fiscal Year 2027 funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program as well as HIV programs at the CDC and NIH, as well as the Community Health Centers PrEP Program. Source: Congressional Letter March 17, 2026: Idaho Republicans are following the lead of anti-trans activists in Kansas with the recent passage of a bill making it a felony for transgender people to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. House Bill 752, sponsored by Republican Cornel Rasor, would treat a first offense as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Repeated offenses, however, could result in felony convictions with up to five years in prison. The bill passed 54-15 and now heads to the Idaho Senate, where Republicans control 29 of 35 seats. Source: The Advocate March 9, 2026: After President Trump put out an executive order targeting gender identity, the U.S. Census Bureau stopped work on producing statistics that could help protect the rights of transgender people, according to an NPR interview with recently-resigned bureau chief Robert Santos. The federal government’s largest statistical agency has taken steps to remove gender identity questions from at least four separate surveys it conducts, including the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Health Interview Survey. Source: NPR March 4, 2026: Rep. Mark Takano — one of two out LGBTQ+ California Congressmen — joined Senators Adam Schiff and Tina Smith (D-MN) to reintroduce the PrEP Access and Coverage Act, a bill that would ensure that HIV prevention drugs, screenings, diagnostic procedures, fees, and clinical follow-ups are covered by health insurance without out-of-pocket costs for patients. The bicameral bill would also establish community public health campaigns and improve access to medications for uninsured Americans. Equality California is proud to sponsor this legislation. Source: Sen. Adam Schiff Press Office March 2, 2026: In its just-released report, the health research group KFF found that federal healthcare funding cuts led Florida and 17 other states to impose income caps and reduce the number of medications covered by the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). The grim report said that five additional states are weighing similar cost-cutting measures — effective next month — which KFF said, “could leave growing numbers of people with HIV ineligible for safety-net services, particularly if states further lower income eligibility limits or institute waiting lists.” Source: KFF February 23, 2026: UCLA’s Williams Institute released a report about the impact of Trump’s Executive Order requiring the removal of voluntary demographic questions about gender identity on all federal forms. The vast majority of removals involved gender identity, but 62 forms also dropped questions about sexual orientation, even though the order did not require it. As a result, the federal government will no longer be able to track how LGBTQ+ people are impacted in a range of longstanding data collection, including Runaway and Homeless Youth, the American Housing Survey, Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences, the National Violent Death Reporting System, and many more. Source: Williams Institute Report (UCLA) January 29, 2026: According to newly released research from GLAAD, anti-transgender hate crimes rose 14% over a 12-month period, May 2024-May 2025, including incidents in Nevada. Silver State Equality State Director André Wade was quoted upon release of the report, saying: “We wish that the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric [would] simmer down, especially that directed at transgender folks.” Wade also revealed that the Trump administration canceled a $400,000 grant to the organization aimed at raising awareness about hate crimes. Source: Public News Service January 21, 2026: In a new report, the nation’s largest provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare details the scope of action by the Trump administration to “devastate” healthcare access. The cumulative consequences of executive orders, agency takeovers, and sweeping legislation in 2025, “…have been immediate and severe, falling hardest on people with low incomes, Black and Latino communities, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and young people,” and will last for generations. Source: Planned Parenthood January 20, 2026: The Fenway Institute, an LGBTQ+ health nonprofit, released a report this week highlighting the “systematic dismantling” of the nation’s public health, research, and foreign policy infrastructure in just 12 months. The 65-page report describes the swift erosion of longstanding policies that advanced equality and health equity for LGBTQ+ people and effective, science-based HIV and STI prevention and care. Source: Fenway Institute January 14, 2026: Just one day after HHS cancelled $2 billion in mental health and substance use because of “non-alignment with [administration] priorities,” funding was restored following backlash from Democrats and Republicans, including “direct intervention” at the White House. The cuts would have affected nearly 2,000 organizations and grant recipients, who were told in initial letters from HHS that a variety of mental health and addiction programs that did not align with Trump administration public health policy would no longer be funded. Source: NPR December 1, 2025: For the first time in almost 40 years, the federal government did not recognize December 1 as World AIDS Day, an observance to mourn those lost to the disease and raise awareness about the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. The Trump State Department instructed employees to not use any government funds to commemorate the day, and “refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day through any communication channels.” This decision follows devastating cuts earlier this year to USAID and the President’s Emergency Preparedness Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Source: The New York Times November 19, 2025: Due to overwhelming public outcry and comment, the National Institute of Health announced last week that it would reverse an earlier June decision to discontinue support for federal HIV guidelines in spring 2026. The volume and substance of comments from people in the HIV community were specifically cited as factors in the reversal. Source: NIH Website October 28, 2025: NV Attorney General Aaron Ford has joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and three governors suing the federal government — specifically USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins — for indefinitely suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amidst the ongoing government shutdown. The suit contends that USDA has billions of dollars in contingency funds that could cover all or a large portion of November SNAP benefits, used largely by low-income workers, single parent families, and disproportionately by LGBTQ+ people and other minority groups. Source: AG Rob Bonta Press Office October 23, 2025: Governor Newsom announced a $140 million investment to support Planned Parenthood health centers across the state, a direct response to the Trump administration’s efforts to defund reproductive health care services across the country. California’s 100+ clinics serve more than 1 million patients each year, and this commitment will ensure that patients can continue to access birth control, STI testing and treatment services, abortion care, and other critical services. Source: Governor Newsom Press Office October 22, 2025: The AIDS Institute, one of the nation’s leading advocacy groups for those affected by HIV and AIDS, announced this week that unless Congress extends enhanced premium tax credits or makes them permanent, patients who receive their medication through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program may be unable to afford the cost of coverage — which could have a direct impact on new HIV diagnoses. Source: The AIDS Institute Press Office September 16, 2025: This week, a bipartisan pair of Senators — Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) — announced the introduction of legislation that would reinstate an LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline option eliminated by the Trump administration in July. Recent polling from HRC shows that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth say increasing political rhetoric targeting the community has negatively affected their mental health. Source: USA TODAY September 4, 2025: The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel and Office of the Attorney General confirmed they had met to consider whether being transgender is a mental illness that could, under existing firearm regulations, disqualify a transgender person from owning a gun. The likelihood of such an idea being enacted is remote and unconstitutional. Source: The Washington Post September 2, 2025: Democratic Members of the House Appropriations Committee decried the Republican FY 2026 spending cuts for education, healthcare, HIV prevention, reproductive care and family planning, and other social programs. In all, deep proposed cuts represent an 11% reduction over FY 2025. Source: Appropriations Committee Democrats August 20, 2025: The AIDS Institute published an analysis of the devastating impact that the recently passed H.R.1 spending bill will have on the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S. Deep funding cuts and new eligibility reporting requirements that will cause approximately 15 million people to lose healthcare under the ACA and Medicaid, the single largest source of insurance coverage for people living with HIV. Source: The AIDS Institute August 4, 2025: Secretary Kennedy announced this week that he is “reviewing” whether to remove all members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — the federal body of medical experts charged with issuing recommendations for preventive care for adults and children — because they are “too woke.” This decision would devastate the country’s health infrastructure, and be significantly detrimental to disease prevention efforts. Source: The Hill July 16, 2025: After the Trump Administration eliminated specialized support services for LGBTQ+ youth through the National 988 Crisis Line, California announced a new partnership between The Trevor Project and CalHHS to provide enhanced competency training to the state’s crisis line counselors. Source: Governor Newsom Press Office June 17, 2025: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced this week that it would cease operating the LGBTQ+ youth services option of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline effective July 17. Advocates called the decision cruel and callous, especially during Pride Month. Source: NBC News June 5, 2025: The Trump Administration’s FY2026 budget proposes devastating cuts to HIV/AIDS funding, including a $70 million cut to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. It also ends research into HIV treatment and prevention services and eliminates HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS). Source: White House Press Office June 5, 2025: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it would no longer collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) from state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies. Source: CMS Press Office May 22, 2025: After hours of fiery committee hearings and debate, the House passed its budget reconciliation bill to advance the Trump agenda. The proposed cuts include over $700 billion to Medicaid and $300 billion to SNAP—both of which are a lifeline for low-income people including seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities—in addition to a ban on Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare, and removal of said healthcare as an Essential Health Benefit under the Affordable Care Act. Read our official statement here. Source: The New York Times May 13, 2025: The Trump administration’s budget reconciliation bill is being denounced by many members of Congress for its proposed deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and preventing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from covering healthcare for transgender youth. Source: The Advocate March 18, 2025: The Trump Administration is discussing cuts to the CDC’s domestic HIV/AIDS program, including funding for HIV prevention and education. Source: Politico March 13, 2025: In a win for public health and reproductive freedom, anti-choice and anti-vaccine extremist Dave Weldon withdrew from consideration as head of the Centers for Disease Control the morning of his Senate confirmation hearing. Source: The New York Times February 19, 2025: Under newly-confirmed Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services launched a website featuring notorious anti-transgender extremist Riley Gaines and promoting scientific misinformation. Source: CNN February 13, 2025: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was confirmed as the newest Secretary of Health and Human Services by a 42-48 vote in the Senate. Previously, he has spread dangerous misinformation about HIV/AIDS, as well as supported a ban on transgender youth healthcare. Source: USA Today February 11, 2025: A federal judge ordered the restoration of of web pages and data regarding HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and other health issues after the Trump administration removed them to comply with an anti-LGBTQ+ executive order. Source: The Advocate IMMIGRATION February 4, 2026: Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Homeland Security Department when it expires in two weeks unless there are “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies who are carrying out President Donald Trump’s campaign of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota and across the country. Source: AP December 10, 2025: Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), joined by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act, an LGBTQ+ inclusive immigration bill that would recapture unused visas from previous years as well as exempt spouses, unmarried children under 21, and certain parents of legal permanent residents from visa caps. It would also raise per-country immigration caps, protect certain immigrant children from “aging out” after turning 21, and expand the cancellation of deportation orders. Source: Rep. Chu Press Office November 5, 2025: The Department of Homeland Security sissued a Federal Register notice of its intention to add state drivers license data to the rapidly expanding federal database called the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE). The department’s stated intent is to “identify noncitizens on voter rolls,” but civil rights advocates warn of further crackdowns on immigrant communities. Source: ProPublica October 2, 2025: Lawyers for the federal government and immigrant advocates have presented plans to a federal judge that would open to door to continue accepting applications for the DACA program. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program created under the Obama administration, grants people without legal immigration status brought to the country by their parents two-year renewable permits to live and work in the U.S. legally. The application process has been blocked for nearly four years by a previous district court order. Source: NBC News August 21, 2025: The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched an oversight initiative aimed at stripping Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits from people whose citizenship or immigration status could not be confirmed through federal databases. Source: CMS Newsroom July 21, 2025: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who has filed and joined numerous legal actions seeking to hold the administration to account, filed a new lawsuit this week over the Trump Administration’s abrupt decision to restrict access to more than a dozen public benefit programs based on immigration status. These include critical programs like Head Start, childcare services for low-income families, adult education, mental health and substance abuse disorder programs, and shelters for at-risk youth and domestic violence survivors. Source: AG Press Office July 17, 2025: Per Associated Press reporting, the Trump Administration illegally provided ICE with access to the personal, sensitive data of Medicaid recipients as part of ongoing immigration raids across the country. This unprecedented breach of medical privacy is a deeply alarming assault on the privacy rights and health of millions of Americans. Source: AP News July 10, 2025: In a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary RFK, Jr. stated that, “effective immediately,” undocumented people would no longer have eligibility for a range of federally-funded services and programs including community health clinics, Head Start, mental health and substance abuse treatment, prevention, ad recovery programs, Title IV education programs, and family planning services under Title X. Source: HHS Press Office June 12, 2025: California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a public briefing — even after identifying himself as a U.S. Senator — featuring DHS Secretary Kristi Noem after attempting to ask questions regarding ongoing immigration operations in Los Angeles. The Senator was forced to the ground and handcuffed, leading many of his Senate colleagues to speak out on the floor and lawmakers across the country to condemn what happened. Source: NY Times June 11, 2025: The House Homeland Security Committee sent letters to more than 200 nonprofit organizations to inform them of a Congressional probe into any federally-funded activities that “incentivized millions of inadmissible aliens to cross our borders” during the Biden Administration. The Committee’s letter called out the LA-based Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) by name and said it has been linked to the far-left, anti-law enforcement riots in Los Angeles. CHIRLA executive director Angelica Salas responded by pointing to the organization’s long history of peaceful organizing and community involvement. Source: Homeland Security June 10, 2025: The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funding to California as Donald Trump continues to feud with the state over a number of issues, from ongoing immigration raids across Los Angeles to inclusive policies for transgender kids in sports. The nearly $8 billion in federal funding supports programs including those for low-income students and students with disabilities. Source: Politico May 29, 2025: Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist who fled hate crimes in Venezuela only to be deported to a Salvadoran supermax prison by ICE, was dealt a blow this week with the dismissal of his asylum case. The Immigrant Defenders Law Center plans to appeal the case to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Source: Washington Blade May 8, 2025: A federal judge on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing his demands for stricter immigration enforcement, and his opposition to abortion and transgender rights, on local governments as a condition of receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in federal homeless-assistance funds. Source: SF Chronicle April 9, 2025: Four Senators, including Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Alex Padilla of California, are calling on the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the IRS and Department of Homeland Security that will allow DHS to access private information about undocumented workers who pay taxes using ITIN numbers. Source: Sen. Padilla Press Office March 25, 2025: Donald Trump signed an order on Tuesday requiring proof of U.S. citizenship on election forms as well as restrict the acceptance of mail-in ballots received after Election Day—both of which seek to disenfranchise, intimidate, and suppress the votes of tens of millions of eligible voters. Source: The New York Times March 10, 2025: The Trump Administration announced a repurposing of the CBP One app—previously a resource for undocumented individuals to make appointments for government services—as ‘CBP Home,’ meant to be used as a “self-deportation tool.” Source: FOX 5 D.C. February 25, 2025: DHS announced that it will compel mass self-deportation by imposing criminal penalties on “aliens who willfully fail to depart the US; fail to register with the federal government and be fingerprinted; and fail to apprise the federal government of changes to their address.” Source: DHS Memo February 19, 2025: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship to remain blocked. Arguments in the case are slated for June. Source: CNN February 19, 2025: Donald Trump issued an executive order directing Cabinet Secretaries to identify programs that allow undocumented people to access public benefits—including SNAP, CHIP, and Medicaid—and provide plans to prohibit such access. Source: Executive Order Text (whitehouse.gov) IN THE COURTS June 3, 2026: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an order on Tuesday lifting a stay banning the enlistment of HIV+ people in the military, pending further legal action. The Court’s order clarified that the stay was lifted upon its agreement to rehear the case of Wilkins v Hegseth in an en banc hearing, before the full panel of Justices. The court vacated a February panel decision upholding the military’s HIV enlistment restrictions; arguments in the case are tentatively scheduled for September. Source: The Advocate June 2, 2026: Three families of transgender youth and two transgender young adults — represented by Lambda Legal, ACLU, and New York Civil Liberties Union — have brought a federal class action against the Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice over their efforts to seize the private health information of transgender youth at NYU Langone Health and other New York City hospitals. The suit asks the court to protect the patients’ privacy rights and prevent the disclosure of their identities and their deeply personal medical histories, while also drawing attention to the Trump administration’s abusive targeting of patients and providers of transition-related care. Source: ACLU Press Office June 1, 2026: The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a 2-1 ruling on Monday finding that the Pentagon — under Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership and in response to a Trump executive order — illegally barred transgender troops from military service. While the ban has been in effect following a Supreme Court ruling allowing it to proceed pending litigation, the panel’s new ruling keeps the military from kicking out current servicemembers named in the lawsuit; new recruits, however, will still not be allowed to join. Source: AP News May 19, 2026: On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth once again blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to transfer transgender women in federal custody into male prisons. The case at hand, Doe v. Blanche, was brought in January 2025 after three transgender woman incarcerated in federal prison sued over an executive order mandating the federal government only recognize “sex assigned at birth.” Source: The Advocate May 14, 2026: U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping demand for confidential transgender patient records from Rhode Island’s largest hospital providing transition-related care to minors. In her ruling, McElroy lambasted the Trump DOJ, stating, “[The Department of Justice] has proven unworthy of trust at every point in this case.” Her concerns echo those of seven other federal courts who have quashed similar subpoenas. Source: Los Angeles Times May 13, 2026: A panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in a case challenging a Colorado school district’s policy that allows transgender students to room with peers that share their gender identity. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ legal organization, brought the case on behalf of two parents who sued the Jefferson County Public School District after learning their daughter had shared a hotel room with a transgender girl during a 2023 Washington, D.C. trip. The district’s attorneys argue that any change in policy would single out transgender students for unfair and unequal treatment. Source: The Advocate May 12, 2026: NYU Langone, one of New York City’s major hospital systems, disclosed that it received a grand jury subpoena from a federal prosecutor in Texas last week demanding the medical records of any minors who had received transition-related care over the past six years. The Trump DOJ likely cherry-picked the Texas district in which they filed the subpoena, as federal judges there have been more amenable to the administration’s requests — meaning there could soon be another showdown between the Department of Justice and New York Attorney General Letitia James, a perpetual thorn in the Trump administration’s side. Source: The New York Times April 30, 2026: Lambda Legal, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights legal organization, filed suit in federal court Thursday on behalf of six transgender Idahoans in a challenge to the recently-passed HB 752. The bill, signed by Governor Brad Little earlier this year, is one of the most severe anti-transgender bathroom bans in the country; a first offense is a misdemeanor with up to a one-year prison sentence, while a second offense is a felony with up to five years in prison. The bill applies to all government buildings and businesses open to the public; Lambda’s Kell Olson and F. Curt Kirschner, Jr. say the law is “…intended to erase the very existence of Idaho’s transgender community.” Source: Lambda Legal Press Office April 29, 2026: On Wednesday, the Supreme Court significantly narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a key provision that broadly outlawed discrimination in voting on the basis of race for decades. The case involved a challenge to two majority-Black districts in Louisiana. The majority found that evidence of racial disparity in the drawing of earlier maps was too weak to justify the use of race to draw the new map. The decision creates further uncertainty to redistricting following the Court’s 2019 holding that partisan gerrymandering is not prohibited by the constitution. Source: POLITICO April 28, 2026: A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court which had blocked the transfer of eighteen transgender women to men’s federal prisons. Each of the plaintiffs had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, received long-term hormone therapy, and some had undergone gender-affirming surgeries. The plaintiffs alleged that transferring them to men’s prisons would expose them to grave risks of violence, abuse, and psychological harm. The Appellate panel held that the district court’s original decision was too broad. Source: East Bay Area Reporter April 27, 2026: The Supreme Court has declined to decide if a Florida school district violated the civil rights of a transgender student’s parents by developing a gender transition plan for the child without their knowledge. The parent-plaintiffs allowed their child to use a “new nickname” at school but told the child’s teacher they did not support the use of new pronouns. An 11th Circuit panel ruled 2-1 against the parents last March after finding that the district’s actions did not “shock the conscience.” The majority reasoned that the child was not physically harmed or forced to participate in the transition plan. Source: Courthouse News Service April 20, 2026: The Supreme Court announced this week they will consider an appeal on a Colorado case involving a religious preschool being excluded from the state’s universal preschool program. The plaintiff, a church-run preschool, claims they were excluded from the state-funded universal preschool program because they only enrolled children whose families adhered to church teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity. Notably, the Court’s brief order taking up the case stated they will not consider whether to overturn a previous ruling at the heart of the dispute, Employment Division v. Smith, which held that laws burdening the free exercise of religion typically do not violate the First Amendment so long as they are neutral and generally applicable. Source: CBS News April 16, 2026: The Montana Supreme Court issued a landmark 5-2 ruling this week declaring that “transgender discrimination is, by its very nature, sex discrimination,” and that transgender people constitute a suspect class under the state’s equal protection clause. This ruling is particularly important for transgender Montanans; because the decision rests entirely on the Montana Constitution — particularly its Equal Protection and Individual Dignity Clause, which the court made clear provides greater protections than the U.S. Constitution — it is insulated from the U.S. Supreme Court, which has issued a series of anti-transgender decisions in the past several years. Notably, the ruling came as the result of a legal challenge to Montana legislation and departmental policies that barred transgender residents from updating their identity documents, a fight currently underway in states like Idaho and Kansas. Source: Erin in the Morning April 13, 2026: Following public outcry and a lawsuit filed on behalf of several nonprofits, the Trump administration will allow the Pride flag to fly once more at the Stonewall National Monument. Through the National Park Service, the administration has repeatedly targeted displays and signage that it deems “too woke or negative.” Stonewall is the site of the fabled 1969 Stonewall uprising, largely seen as the event that kicked off the larger LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Source: The Hill March 31, 2026: The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has ruled that HUD and Secretary Scott Turner’s new funding restrictions that would have unlawfully conditioned federal funding on compliance with “political whims” violated the law. The First Circuit Court of Appeals additionally held that HUD cannot move forward with its plan to release the December 19th Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Opportunity to hold a partial-year competition, which means HUD must renew all awards expiring this year. Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness Press Office March 31, 2026: In a 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court held that Colorado’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban discriminated against therapist Kaley Chiles based on the views expressed in her talk therapy. The Court held that bans on talk therapy trigger strict scrutiny, requiring the government to show the restriction on speech is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissenter, arguing that Colorado’s ban “incidentally” restricted Chiles’s speech as part of the state’s legitimate regulation of medical treatments. Read our statement here. Source: SCOTUSblog March 11, 2026: Douglas County District Judge James McCabria declined to pause enforcement of a recently-passed anti-trans law that invalidates driver’s licenses and birth certificates for transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and intersex Kansans as well as criminalizes certain bathroom usage in government buildings. A case management conference is scheduled for March 18. Source: The Advocate March 2, 2026: On Monday, in a 6-3 decision via the Court’s emergency docket — where Justices rule without having heard full legal briefings or arguments — the conservative majority cleared the way for privacy protections that safeguard transgender students in California to be upended. The case, Mirabelli v. Bonta, originates from a lawsuit filed in federal court in April 2023 by a group of parents and teachers in the Escondido Unified School District challenging state laws and policies that protect students against “forced outing” — disclosing a student’s gender identity to their parents or guardians without consent. The Court’s ruling, while deeply disappointing, was limited only to the claims of the parental plaintiffs, and the case remains on appeal in the Ninth Circuit. Read our statement here. February 25, 2026: On Wednesday, Judge Jason Woodbury dismissed a challenge seeking to nullify Governor Joe Lombardo’s anti-trans ballot initiative that would prohibit transgender girls from participating in sports. However, his ruling also included new language that he legally mandated be included which specifies that the initiative carves out an exception to the Nevada Constitution’s guarantee of equal rights regardless of gender identity. Source: Nevada Independent February 20, 2026: Following the Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud v Taylor, a case brought by the right-wing Becket Fund on behalf of religious families who objected to LGBTQ+ books, the Montgomery County school district in Maryland agreed to a $1.5 million settlement and new provisions to give parents an opportunity to opt their children out of certain instruction and alert them to the content of course materials. Source: Maryland Matters January 13, 2026: Attorney General Aaron Ford joined eleven other state attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging new “Gender Conditions” for potential grant recipients from the Department of Health and Human Services seeking their compliance with a Trump executive order that targets transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. The suit argues that the proposed conditions violate both the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act, as well as exceed the statutory authority of HHS and the spending authority of Congress. Source: Reuters January 13, 2026: On Tuesday, the Justices heard oral arguments in two cases — Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. BPJ — where the court has been asked to determine whether state laws that prohibit transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams at publicly-funded schools violate the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and Title IX of The Civil Rights Act. A ruling is expected near the end of the term in June. Source: Washington Blade January 12, 2026: Responding to a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in AAP funding. In a sharply-worded ruling granting a preliminary injunction, the judge agreed with the plaintiffs’ argument that the cancellation in grants was “retaliatory” for AAP’s opposition to the administration’s policies on vaccines and healthcare access for transgender youth. Source: The Hill January 9, 2026: A federal district court judge threw out a case brought by Republican Assembly candidate Drew Ribar over his exclusion from library Drag Story Hour events. Rubin filed suit against the Washoe County Library and Our Center, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit, after he was denied the ability to film Drag Story Hour events meant for families and young children. Ribar has also engaged in a pattern of online harassment and doxxing against library staff and defense attorneys. Source: KUNR December 27, 2025: A Texas judge has filed a federal suit to overturn 2015’s landmark Supreme Court marriage equality ruling. This case has been taken up on behalf of a Justice of the Peace who has been refusing to marry same-gender couples, claiming that Obergefell was wrongly decided and that SCOTUS “overstepped” its boundaries. Source: Instinct Magazine November 20, 2025: A civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard filed a class action lawsuit in federal court on Thursday challenging a Trump administration policy that prohibits transgender and intersex people from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. The suit contends that a January 20, 2025 Executive Order mandating the ban violates Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids sex discrimination in employment. Source: ACLU Press Office November 18, 2025: CA Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined 14 other attorneys general on an amicus brief submitted to the nation’s highest court in support of transgender athletes, the subject of two upcoming cases scheduled for oral argument on January 13, 2026, Little v. Hecox and Virginia v B.P.J. The attorneys general argue in their brief that the challenged laws at hand violate existing federal anti-discrimination law. Source: SCOTUS Website (Amicus Brief) October 21, 2025: Supreme Court Justices will meet privately on November 7 to discuss a challenge to federal marriage equality brought by Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to certify same-sex marriages following the Obergefell decision citing religious objections. While it is unlikely the Court will hear the case, advocates remain ready to defend the barely decade-old precedent. Source: SCOTUSBlog October 8, 2025: U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled this week that a new requirement from HHS regarding funding for teenage pregnancy prevention grant funding was “arbitrary and capricious.” The department had demanded organizations that receive such funding comply with an executive order against “indoctrinating children about radical gender ideology.” Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California filed the successful challenge to the directive. Source: The Hill October 7, 2025: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Chiles v. Salazar, a case brought by a Colorado therapist who claims her First Amendment rights to “have full conversations exploring issues of identity and gender” are being trampled by that state’s ban on conversion therapy. The law, versions of which exist in 20 states, prohibits any practice that tries to “change a minor’s gender expressions or to eliminate sexual or romantic feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” Source: VOX October 6, 2025: Lawyers for the ACLU asked the Supreme Court this week to reject the Trump administration’s challenge to a preliminary injunction in the case of Orr v. Trump, which contests the administration’s policy that passports reflect only a person’s assigned sex at birth is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Source: ACLU Press Office September 30, 2025: AFSCME, the American Federation of Government Employees, Democracy Forward, and Democracy Defenders filed suit in federal court this week challenging the administration’s threats of mass firings of federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. Source: AFGE Press Office September 17, 2025: The motion of the U.S. Solicitor General to participate in the October 7 oral argument before the Supreme Court in Chiles v Salazar, a free speech case related to conversion therapy was granted. Source: SCOTUS.gov September 15, 2025: A federal judge in the Northern District of California ruled in favor of a coalition of labor unions that sued the Trump administration for the mass terminations of federal probationary workers with no regard for employees’ job performance or public safety. In his sharply-worded ruling, Judge William H. Alsup found the terminations were conducted indiscriminately and condemned the Admin for presenting “sham” evidence and “fabricated context.” Source: AFSCME Press Office September 11, 2025: The National Alliance to End Homelessness and Women’s Development Corporation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD Secretary Scott Turner this week. The suit challenges new funding restrictions that block service providers and communities from applying for critical housing funds if they offer protections for transgender people, operate in jurisdictions with inclusive immigration policies, or support harm reduction practices. Source: NAEH Press Office September 10, 2025: The Supreme Court on Wednesday left in place a ruling by a federal appeals court that requires a South Carolina school district to allow a transgender student to use the boys’ bathroom while the teen’s challenge to a state law that requires students to use the bathrooms that correspond to their biological sex “at the time of birth” continues. Source: SCOTUSBlog September 9, 2025: Three military families sued the Department of Defense after their transgender adolescent and adult children were barred from accessing essential gender-affirming medical care under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance program. The families are represented by two national LGBTQ+ legal organizations, GLAD Law and the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. Source: Washington Blade August 31, 2025: A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to block Planned Parenthood from continuing to accept Medicaid clients. Millions of LGBTQ+ people receive high-quality nondiscriminatory healthcare from Planned Parenthood clinics. Source: City Pulse August 14, 2025: A transgender volleyball player has filed suit against a California university who stripped her of her scholarship. Emma Morquecho, who moved to the state to attend Westcliff University, is suing the school, the California Pacific Conference athletic league, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics alleging that this action violates her federal civil rights and California state law. Source: The Advocate August 13, 2025: A cisgender teenage girl in Minnesota filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against a Buffalo Wild Wings location in Owatanna after a server reportedly followed her into the women’s restroom and “made her prove” she was not transgender. Gender Justice filed the suit with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on behalf of 18-year-old Gerika Mudra; Minnesota is one of 21 states that legally protect a person’s right to use facilities that correspond to their gender identity. Source: The Advocate August 12, 2025: The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Arkansas law that prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to minors, including puberty blockers and hormones. The ruling overturns a decision from a lower court which had previously declared the law unconstitutional, and follows a Supreme Court decision (U.S. v. Skrmetti) in June that declared a similar law in Tennessee was not discriminatory. Source: NBC News August 11, 2025: Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who went to jail for six days for refusing to certify same sex marriage certificates in 2015, has formally petitioned the Supreme Court to hear a case that seeks to reverse the landmark Obergefell marriage equality decision. Davis and her lawyers argue First Amendment protection for free exercise of religion immunizes her from personal liability for the denial of marriage licenses, and that the ruling in Obergefell was “egregiously wrong.” Source: ABC News August 1, 2025: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by fifteen other attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, has filed suit against the Trump administration over its relentless attacks on transgender healthcare. These attacks have led medical providers to discontinue some services for fear of violating the law or jeopardizing federal funding for their institutions. Bonta’s suit contends that the assault on this healthcare is unconstitutional, undermines state sovereignty, and exceeds federal authority. Source: AG Bonta Press Office July 29, 2025: The National Women’s Law Center and Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit this week against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for refusing to enforce federal nondiscrimination laws that protect transgender workers. Per the suit, the agency denies these workers access to the EEOC’s investigative process, dismisses ongoing cases brought on their behalf, and halts payments to local agencies investigating complaints. Source: Democracy Forward Press Office July 28, 2025: A provision in the massive Republican spending bill that would have unconstitutionally “defunded” Planned Parenthood has been blocked by a federal injunction in the case of PPFA v. Kennedy. This means that for the time being, Planned Parenthood health centers can continue being paid for essential services provided through Medicaid such as birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and more. At the same time, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit alongside 22 other attorneys general and one governor seeking to prevent the Trump Administration from enforcing the devastating and unlawful provision. Sources: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Press Office; AG Bonta Press Office July 28, 2025: California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 20 of his peers filed a new lawsuit this week challenging a demand from the USDA that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of SNAP recipients. Surrendering such data, the AG’s contend, would violate multiple privacy laws and the U.S. Constitution. Source: AG Bonta Press Office July 15, 2025: In a one-paragraph, unsigned emergency order, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump Administration could functionally eliminate the Department of Education by firing one-third of its workers. Gutting the department will hinder its ability to address civil rights complaints — 22,000 of which were filed in FY2024 alone. Source: AP News July 14, 2025: A group of 24 states (and the District of Columbia) sued the Trump Administration on Monday over its freeze on nearly $7 billion in education funding for after-school care, English language learning, teacher training, and other programs. The fight over funding has caused chaos mere weeks ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Source: Washington Post July 10, 2025: Judge Joseph N. LaPlante of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire blocked the Trump Administration from enforcing a cruel executive order ending birthright citizenship after certifying a lawsuit as a class action. The decision comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that limits the ability of lower court judges to issue nationwide injunctions. Source: The New York Times July 9, 2025: The Trump DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, sued the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation, accusing them of violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports. This is the latest move in a continued campaign of attempted intimidation and harassment over the policy; the administration previously threatened to withhold billions in federal education funding, and the U.S. Department of Education warned they may seek punitive measures. Source: The New York Times July 7, 2025: A provision in the recently passed Republican budget that cuts Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics has been delayed after a U.S. District Judge issued a two-week block. This is welcome news, as millions of LGBTQ+ people, low-income workers, and other underserved communities rely on Planned Parenthood for basic healthcare. Source: The Hill July 3, 2025: To the dismay of LGBTQ+ advocates, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases involving transgender student-athletes in its upcoming 2025-26 term. The challenges, which were brought by Idaho, West Virginia and the far-right Alliance Defending Freedom, seek to uphold their bans on trans athletic participation in public schools. In all, 27 states have outright bans or similar restrictions in place. Source: The Hill June 27, 2025: On the last day of the 2024-2025 Supreme Court term, three of the final released decisions will have major impacts for the LGBTQ+ community. The first, Trump v. CASA, saw the Justices rule 6-3 to limit the power of nationwide injunctions against Presidential executive orders. The second, Braidwood v. Kennedy (SSEQ statement), was another 6-3 ruling that allows no cost coverage for preventive care like PrEP, cancer screenings, and contraception to stand. The last case, Mahmoud v. Taylor (SSEQ statement), was also a 6-3 ruling authored by noted anti-LGBTQ+ Justice Samuel Alito which states that parents have the right to opt their children out of instruction using books or curriculum that discusses LGBTQ+ people — a dangerous step toward more censorship and book banning in public schools. Sources: NBC News, CNN, NPR June 26, 2025: In a devastating 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Medicaid patients in South Carolina cannot exercise their “free choice of provider” to seek healthcare at Planned Parenthood clinics. The ruling in this case, Medina v. Planned Parenthood, opens the door for other states with anti-equality majorities to disqualify Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid; states including Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri already have similar restrictions. Source: Supreme Court Opinion June 18, 2025: In a devastating 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s discriminatory ban on healthcare for transgender youth. The case, Skrmetti v. United States, brought by a doctor and three affirming TN families, argued that the ban violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection clause because the prohibited treatments are allowed when undertaken for other types of care. Read our statement here. Source: SCOTUS Opinion June 16, 2025: A federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday blocked the Trump Administration — namely Secretary Marco Rubio’s State Department — from refusing to process and issue passport applications for transgender and nonbinary people in accordance with their gender identity. U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick expanded a preliminary injunction she had initially enforced in April, ruling that the policy likely discriminates on the basis of sex and violates the Constitution’s 5th Amendment. Source: Reuters June 9, 2025: A federal judge on Monday blocked several of President Donald Trump’s executive orders that have threatened federal funding to nonprofits that primarily service LGBTQ+ communities. District Judge Jon Tigar issued a preliminary injunction halting three of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-transgender executive orders. Nine nonprofits around the country had sued the Trump administration, calling its actions unconstitutional. Source: Huff Post May 30, 2025: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside 20 other AGs, filed an amicus brief in the case of Shilling v. Trump, a lawsuit filed by GLAD Law and the ACLU challenging Trump’s executive order prohibiting transgender people from serving in the military. Source: AG Bonta Press Office May 22, 2025: In a closely-watched case, the Supreme Court blocked what would be the country’s first religious public school. The attempted charter school—funded by First Liberty Institute, which seeks to funnel taxpayer dollars into religious education—failed by a deadlocked 4-4 vote due to the recusal of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Source: Supreme Court Opinion May 12, 2025: The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on Tuesday to uphold a preliminary injunction preventing a 2023 Florida law — which would ban children from attending drag shows — from taking effect. The decision criticized the law as “substantially overbroad” and cited First Amendment concerns. Source: CBS News May 6, 2025: A divided Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Wednesday to allow the Trump Administration to begin enforcing its transgender military ban, which could result in thousands of discharges and will prevent new enlistments by transgender people in the armed forces. Source: CNN May 1, 2025: U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr. — a Trump appointee — ruled that the Alien Enemies Act does not allow Donald Trump to swiftly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to an El Salvador prison. This extends an already existing block on the law. Source: The Hill April 24, 2025: U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocked the Trump Administration from enacting changes to how federal elections are run in an order Thursday. Perhaps most notable, Judge Kollar-Kotelly granted a preliminary injunction to stop the citizenship requirement from being implemented immediately. Source: The Hill April 24, 2025: With an Executive Order banning transgender people from serving in the military currently blocked by a federal judge, the Trump Administration is asking SCOTUS to let it enforce the ban while the outcome of any legal challenges are still pending. Source: CNN April 24, 2025: A federal judge blocked Trump Administration directives that sought to cut federal funding for schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs on Thursday. Additionally, the effective date for anti-DEI “guidance” from the administration was postponed in another similar case. Source: AP News April 21, 2025: On May 15, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a highly consequential case which asks: What is the extent of lower court judges’ power to block a president’s policies nationwide? The case comes as more and more lower courts block key priorities of the Trump Administration through nationwide injunctions. Source: POLITICO April 9, 2025: A bill introduced by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) to limit the power of lower court judges to issue orders with broad national implications passed by a 219-213 House vote on Wednesday. This is the latest move by the far right to attack judges who have ruled against executive orders issued by the Trump Administration. Source: POLITICO April 2, 2025: Oral arguments in the case of Medina v. Planned Parenthood were heard on Wednesday, a case involving South Carolina’s attempt to block Medicaid patients from receiving healthcare at Planned Parenthood clinics. Source: SCOTUSBlog March 27, 2025: U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle became the second judge to block the Trump Administration’s trans military ban from taking effect, calling it “unfair and exclusionary.” Source: ABC News March 26, 2025: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes rejected the Trump Administration’s attempt to lift a court order blocking its transgender military ban from going into effect. Source: The Advocate March 19, 2025: A federal judge blocked Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning transgender people from serving or enlisting in the military, saying it was “soaked in animus.” Source: NBC News February 27, 2025: A newly-released memo from the Department of Defense, in response to a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration, indicates that transgender troops will be removed from active-duty service unless they are granted a special waiver. Source: NBC News February 20, 2025: Lambda Legal filed suit on behalf of multiple organizations—including California-based orgs San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Los Angeles LGBT Center, GLBT Historical Society, San Francisco Community Health Center—to challenge executive orders issued by Donald Trump. Source: Lambda Legal Press Office February 19, 2025: Multiple civil and human rights organizations have filed new lawsuits challenging executive orders signed by Donald Trump—notably, those banning DEI initiatives and ending recognition of transgender people by the federal government. Source: The Advocate EXECUTIVE ORDERS: Transgender Athlete Ban Attacking LGBTQ+ Inclusive Schools Transgender Youth Healthcare Ban Creation of a ‘New Policy’ Regarding Active Duty Transgender Servicemembers Ending DEI Practices in the Military “Defending Women”/Rollback of Rights for Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex People Ending DEI Programs Within the Federal Government Ending Birthright Citizenship Rollback of Rights for Immigrant Communities “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens” “Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens”
