Judge Halts Trump Orders on LGBTQ DEI Funding

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Orders Targeting DEI and Transgender Recognition in Grant Funding

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (June 9, 2025) — In a major legal victory for the LGBTQ community, a federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing executive orders that threatened to strip funding from organizations promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and recognizing transgender identities.

U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar ruled Monday that the federal government cannot force grant recipients to abandon DEI initiatives or refuse to acknowledge the existence of transgender individuals. His injunction remains in place while the broader legal battle unfolds, although government attorneys are expected to appeal.

Why Ruling Matters for LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Funding Stability

Protects DEI and transgender-inclusive programs from federal censorship
Ensures organizations can continue to receive vital grant funding
Affirms constitutional protections for LGBTQ+ voices and services
Provides stability for LGBTQ+ community support networks
Reinforces judicial oversight on executive overreach

“The funding conditions imposed by these executive orders are an attempt to censor constitutionally protected speech and the services that promote DEI and transgender recognition,” Tigar wrote in his opinion. He emphasized that even within the realm of federal funding, the executive branch must adhere to constitutional principles.

“It cannot weaponize Congressionally appropriated funds to single out protected communities for disfavored treatment or to suppress ideas that it does not like or deems dangerous,” Tigar added.

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of LGBTQ+ health centers, community service organizations, and the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society, all of which rely on federal funding to carry out their missions. These groups argued that compliance with the administration’s orders would undermine their core values and the communities they serve.

Stay tuned to JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics for ongoing updates on federal actions, DEI protections, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.