US Court Restores $6.2 Million in Federal Funding to LGBTQ+ and HIV Organizations, Blocking Trump-Era Executive Orders

In early July, nine American organizations focused on LGBTQ+ rights and the fight against HIV celebrated a major legal victory: the restoration of $6.2 million in federal funding. This comes after a significant court decision suspended the enforcement of three controversial executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump, which had been widely criticized for discriminating against sexual and racial minorities.

The court’s intervention was prompted by a lawsuit filed in February by Lambda Legal, a leading legal advocacy group dedicated to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV. The lawsuit targeted three executive orders issued shortly after Trump’s return to office, aimed at dismantling federal programs focused on diversity, inclusion, and the recognition of gender identities.

The funding freeze put essential organizations at risk, including LGBT centers in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as community-based groups like Baltimore Safe Haven and Prisma Community Care in Arizona. These organizations provide a lifeline for marginalized populations, offering HIV prevention, mental health support, housing assistance, and services for LGBTQ+ youth and people living with or at risk for HIV.

In a press release, Lambda Legal celebrated the ruling, calling the injunction “an important step in preventing the roll-back of hard-won civil rights and health protections” for vulnerable communities. The restored funding ensures that vital services for LGBTQ+ people and those affected by HIV can continue without interruption.

Many organizations had sounded the alarm that losing federal support would undermine years of progress in public health and equality. This judicial decision not only secures their short-term operations but also affirms the legal protections available to minority groups facing discrimination under executive action.

The injunction temporarily suspends the implementation of the Trump-era orders while the underlying legal challenge moves forward. Advocates and community leaders continue to call for longer-term solutions and legislative protections to safeguard federal funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs—regardless of changes in the political landscape.

For more details, read Lambda Legal’s full statement here.
Further information is also available from organizations such as The Center in New York, Baltimore Safe Haven, and Prisma Community Care.