Preliminary Injunction from Lambda Legal lawsuit Secures Temporary Lifeline to Nine LGBTQ And HIV Organizations Under Threat by Three Trump Executive Orders
Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of three of Trump’s executive orders that threatened to defund vital health and support services for LGBTQ people, including those living with or at risk of HIV.
The injunction granted in Lambda Legal’s lawsuit San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump prevents the Trump Administration from defunding the nine organizations represented in the lawsuit as the case proceeds. The order holds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that multiple provisions of two anti-DEI executive orders and an anti-transgender executive order are unconstitutional.
“This is a critical win—not only for the nine organizations we represent, but for LGBTQ communities and people living with HIV across the country,” said Jose Abrigo, Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director and Senior Attorney on the case. “The Court blocked anti-equity and anti-LGBTQ executive orders that seek to erase transgender people from public life, dismantle DEI efforts, and silence nonprofits delivering life-saving services. Today’s ruling acknowledges the immense harm these policies inflict on these organizations and the people they serve and stops Trump’s orders in their tracks.”
The legal win will protect the nine nonprofit organizations across the country from having to shutter programs or silence their advocacy for fear of losing critical federal support while the case proceeds. The ruling ensures organizations such as San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles and New York LGBTQ Centers can continue to operate, advocate, serve people, and save lives without further censorship or threats to their funding.
In granting the injunction, the court held that Lambda Legal’s plaintiffs and the transgender people they serve will likely succeed in demonstrating that the executive orders violate their rights to equal protection, free speech, and due process, and that the orders likely violate the Separation of Powers.
In the 52-page decision, the U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar wrote:
“While the Executive requires some degree of freedom to implement its political agenda, it is still bound by the Constitution…. And even in the context of federal subsidies, it cannot weaponize Congressionally appropriated funds to single out protected communities for disfavored treatment or suppress ideas that it does not like or has deemed dangerous. […] Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs face the imminent loss of federal funding critical to their ability to provide lifesaving healthcare and support services to marginalized LGBTQ populations. This loss not only threatens the survival of critical programs but also forces Plaintiffs to choose between their constitutional rights and their continued existence.”
The court’s decision means these nonprofits can continue providing HIV prevention and treatment, housing, mental health support, and culturally competent health care—services that are often unavailable elsewhere and that these organizations provide to specific and vulnerable populations.
“We are relieved—but make no mistake, we are also resolute. Today’s decision to block these dangerous, anti-LGBTQ+ orders is a critical step in protecting not just our organization, but the communities we exist to serve. These policies threatened to erase access to lifesaving HIV and health services for transgender, nonbinary, and queer people across the country. That isn’t just bad policy—it’s cruel, and it’s inhumane. The Court’s action gives us the fuel to keep fighting. And we will—because our communities deserve nothing less than dignity, equity, and the right to thrive.” Dr. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The judge explained his decision to grant the injunction by stating that “(T)hese three funding provisions reflect an effort to censor constitutionally protected speech and services promoting DEI and recognizing the existence of transgender individuals. These provisions seek to strip funding from programs that serve historically disenfranchised populations in direct contravention of several statutes under which Plaintiffs receive funding.”
The court also denied a request by the U.S. Department of Justice to stay the injunction while the case is appealed.
Background
Filed in February 2025, San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump challenges three executive orders that aim to eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs and censor references to gender identity or LGBTQ+ populations. The plaintiffs include:
- California: San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Los Angeles LGBT Center, GLBT Historical Society, San Francisco Community Health Center
- Arizona: Prisma Community Care
- New York: The NYC LGBT Community Center
- Pennsylvania: Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center
- Maryland: Baltimore Safe Haven
- Wisconsin: FORGE
Lambda Legal will continue to fight against these orders as the lawsuit progresses, ensuring that these organizations—and the communities they serve—remain protected from unlawful government overreach.
Quotes from Plaintiffs
Statement from Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center
“This ruling is more than a legal victory—it protects a lifeline for the thousands of LGBTQ+ Angelenos who rely on us for affirming healthcare, housing, and HIV services. It sends a clear message: no president can deny our rights through lawless executive orders. Alongside Lambda Legal and our fellow plaintiffs, we took a stand because we had to—to defend our community’s constitutional rights and ensure no one is denied care, dignity, or safety because of who they are. We’re proud to fight this fight, and while it may be far from over, today we stand affirmed in our pursuit of justice.”
Statement from Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center in New York City
“The court’s ruling secures a critical win for The Center and our co-plaintiffs in SFAF v. Trump. These executive orders directly threaten the people we serve—especially transgender and HIV-affected communities who already face significant barriers to care—as well as the essential work of community-based organizations like ours. “We’re grateful for this moment as we prepare for this ongoing fight. We rely on the strength of our partners and allies whose support allows us to continue protecting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers”
Statement from Jessyca Leach, CEO, Prisma Community Care
“This ruling is a lifeline for our communities. The Court’s decision affirms what we already know to be true: health equity is not optional, and our voices cannot be silenced. Prisma Community Care remains committed to delivering life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ people and those impacted by HIV—without fear, without censorship, and without compromise.”
Statement from the GLBT Historical Society’s Executive Director Roberto Ordeñana
“Today’s decision is a crucial milestone in our challenge to these dangerous executive orders, which have targeted transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people throughout our community. This critical ruling acknowledges that these policies are not only harmful, but affirms the central issue at the heart of this case: our community’s right to exist. We are relieved by this ruling, gratified that the court has found serious merit in our challenge, and remain determined to see this case through. There is no LGB without the T—and we will not allow anyone in our community to be silenced, erased, or forgotten. The GLBT Historical Society remains committed to sharing our stories, uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, and preserving LGBTQ+ history, in all its diversity, for generations to come.”
Statement from Lance Toma, Chief Executive Officer of San Francisco Community Health Center:
“San Francisco and California has always been a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community. We are proud to be at this moment when justice continues to prevail. When illegal and vicious attacks come our way, we have no other choice but to fight back. The health and lives of our patients and communities were at stake with these executive orders and this injunction will allow us to continue providing the critical, life-saving services to LGBTQ people, people living or at risk of HIV, youth, women and many other populations. The Court’s decision makes it clear that we are paving the way forward to ensure the rights and lives of our queer community members are protected and affirmed. We stand with conviction and pride.”