Latest news with #SanFranciscoAidsFoundation
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Judge blocks Trump administration from enforcing anti-DEI orders in grant funding
A federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing anti-diversity and anti-transgender executive orders in grant funding requirements that LGBTQ+ organizations say are unconstitutional. Jon Tigar, a US district judge, said on Monday that the federal government cannot force recipients to halt programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or acknowledge the existence of transgender people in order to receive grant funding. The order will remain in effect while the legal case continues, although government lawyers will likely appeal. The funding provisions 'reflect an effort to censor constitutionally protected speech and services promoting DEI and recognizing the existence of transgender individuals', Tigar wrote. He went on to say that the executive branch must still be bound by the constitution in shaping its agenda and that 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'. The plaintiffs include health centers, LGBTQ+ services groups and the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society. All receive federal funding and say they cannot complete their missions by following the president's executive orders. The San Francisco Aids Foundation, one of the plaintiffs, said in 2023 it received a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand and enhance sexual health services, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. The $1.3m project specifically targets communities disproportionately affected by sexual health disparities. But in April, the CDC informed the nonprofit that it must 'immediately terminate all programs, personnel, activities, or contracts' that promote DEI or gender ideology. Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders since his second presidency began in January, including ones to roll back transgender protections and stop DEI programs. Lawyers for the government say that the president is permitted to 'align government funding and enforcement strategies' with his policies. Plaintiffs say that Congress – and not the president – has the power to condition how federal funds are used, and that the executive orders restrict free speech rights.
CBS News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Trans joy overtakes San Francisco's Green Room for Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility isn't until Monday, but some organizations were celebrating early over the weekend. Trans joy took over The Green Room in San Francisco with music, food and awards for people in the community. Mar Omega Williams is a musician, a community activist and a trans woman with big goals. "We're going to save the world," Williams said. Williams helped organize this Trans Day of Visibility celebration. The event highlights local transgender achievements and initiatives and featured activists and artists. Williams was one of them. Williams transitioned just four years ago and it changed her life. "It was just like the most freeing thing because before I used to disassociate just to get through every day and that's not healthy at all," Williams said. She grew up in Vacaville and says there wasn't much trans representation there. Moving to San Francisco and creating music helped give her the confidence to find herself. "To be a part of that is really soul nourishing and I can't believe that it's real, and it is real because we're out here together and you just need to find each other," Williams said. Dozens of organizations were a part of putting on the event, including San Francisco Pride, the San Francisco Aids Foundation and San Francisco Trans March. Eli Berry with the Trans March says this event is different than most trans events. "Usually a lot of what we say when it comes to the visibility of trans people is about death so this event is to celebrate our accomplishments, our joy, our resilience and beyond," Berry said. He says after President Trump was elected in November the trans community needs more visibility to maintain their safety. "This administration, straight out the gate, is not playing, like 'oh no, we don't like you all and these are all the things we're going to take from you and you shouldn't exist and we're going to make it very hard for you to exist'," Berry said. "Our community is severely under attack by the administration right now," said Williams. "They say, first they come for the trans, then they come for the Muslims, then they come for the Jews, then they come for the immigrants, they're going to come for all of us." Williams is concerned the trans community will continue to be targeted over the next 3 and a half years, but she says she believes they will be able to get through it together. "I'm scared there's going to be more, but I'm not scared of fighting that either," Williams said. While Trans Day of Visibility is just one day of the year, the community is always working to make sure trans people are recognized every day.
