San Diego Unites to Defend LGBTQ+ Rights

By Gus Hernandez

Representatives from local LGBTQ+ organizations and partner organizations including the San Diego API Coalition, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, and San Diego Unified School District, gathered last month to stand united to defend LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants rights, and access to healthcare, as we anticipated the Trump administration’s efforts to target our communities. As we predicted, from Day 1 of this administration we have witnessed a series of threats against immigrants, transgender servicemembers, and transgender and nonbinary youth and their families. 

Transgender Military Servicemembers

In January, President Trump signed an executive order barring transgender people from enlisting and serving openly in the military. The full extent of this order is still unclear, but it is a cruel attempt to erase transgender people and a rejection of their dignity, patriotism, and loyalty to service for this country.

Anti-trans military policies have far-reaching negative impacts on our trans and nonbinary community—many of whom rely on the military for housing and health care. Trans individuals already face significant barriers to stable, well-paying employment due to discrimination. Jeopardizing their military service will displace thousands from their jobs and homes, causing a negative ripple effect on our local economy.

Gender-Affirming Care

President Trump also signed an executive order aimed at cutting federal support for gender-affirming healthcare for people under the age of 19. This directive affects federal insurance programs, including Medicaid and TRICARE for military families. The order impacts puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and gender-affirming surgery, and ends Medicare and Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. 

Every major medical organization supports the provision of age-appropriate, gender-affirming care. Accessing gender-affirming care should be a private, personal decision made between parents and their children and between patients and their doctors—not the federal government.

K-12 Education

Adding to these challenges, President Trump has signed an executive order to prohibit federal funds from going to K-12 public schools that teach race or gender equity. The order is a direct attack on the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a rejection of the lived experiences of marginalized communities. 

Federal Funding Freeze

The executive order that called for a freeze on all federal grants and loans poses a significant challenge for LGBTQ+ organizations that rely on federal funding to support their operations and services. The freeze represents an attempt to destabilize our economy and dismantle crucial social safety nets for vulnerable people across our country. If the federal funding freeze proceeds, the loss of these funds will have a devastating impact on organizations like The San Diego LGBT Community Center.

Impacted programs at The Center would include Behavioral Health Services providing mental wellness and counseling, Housing Services offering housing navigation, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and homelessness prevention, Crisis Services offering support to community members in times of crisis, and Sexual Health and Wellness including free HIV tests and STI screenings.

The Center’s Stronger in Community Fund

The funding freeze memo demonstrates that the Trump administration will continue to attack the LGBTQ+ community and attempt to strip away the crucial services and support that so many of our community members need.

These attacks are devastating and we know that more are on the way. The Center remains committed to protecting our LGBTQ+ community, our services, and our programs under threat. Community members are asked to join The Center in resisting this executive order by supporting the Stronger in Community Fund. Your donations and support are more critical than ever. 

Standing Together for a Brighter Future

Throughout our LGBTQ+ history, when we faced attacks, including from our own government, we always emerged stronger. This administration attacked our rights and our dignity, but together in community, our resolve is deeper, and we have justice on our side.

Despite the challenges we face, our community’s resilience and solidarity remain unshaken. Together, we will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status. 

We must work in partnership to build a future where everyone is free to live authentically and without fear.