Federal Executive Orders and Actions
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Recent actions from the federal government have targeted the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
In the other Washington, President Donald Trump's administration has issued several executive orders that directly and indirectly impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Many of these orders are currently being contested in court. On this page, learn about what the federal administration is doing, how Washington state is responding, and resources to support you and your community during this time.
These executive orders have caused fear and confusion as they erase and target 2SLGBTQIA+ people. While we have strong protections in Washington state to love who you love and be who you are, these federal orders still harm Washingtonians. Washington State Attorney General, Nick Brown, has been fighting for 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians through several lawsuits against many of these executive orders and actions. Check out the AGO's website for more information on their efforts.
Interested in learning more about advocating for laws and policies that you are passionate about? Head to our Advocacy and Civic Engagement page to get connected with resources and organizations that can help you get started.
Recent federal executive orders and actions that impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
- View Executive Orders - IMPORTANT: Please use discretion when reading these statements and orders. They might contain language that is offensive towards 2SLGBTQIA+ topics and people. These are being provided for reference and informational purposes.
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- Issued January 20, 2025.
REFORMING THE FEDERAL HIRING PROCESS AND RESTORING MERIT TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
- Issued January 20, 2025
Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing
- Issued January 20, 2025
INITIAL RESCISSIONS OF HARMFUL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS
- Issued January 20, 2025
ENDING ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION AND RESTORING MERIT-BASED OPPORTUNITY
- Issued January 21, 2025
Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
- Issued January 27, 2025
Restoring America’s Fighting Force
- Issued January 27, 2025
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL MUTILATION
- Issued January 28, 2025
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
- Issued January 29, 2025
Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports
- Issued February 5, 2025
Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service
- Issued March 19, 2025
RESTORING TRUTH AND SANITY TO AMERICAN HISTORY
- Issued March 27, 2025
Studies, reports, and data around how federal orders, actions, and legislation will impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Food Insecurity and Reliance on SNAP Among LGBT Adults - The Williams Institute
- Recent federal legislation impacts SNAP benefits. Learn about the relationship between the LGBT community and food insecurity in this study. July 2025
LGBT Adults with Medicaid as Their Primary Source of Health Insurance - The Williams Institute
- Recent federal legislation impacts Medicaid. Learn about the relationship between the LGBT community and Medicaid in this study. May 2025
Impact of Changes to Federal Student Loans Programs on LGBTQ Adults - The Williams Institute
- There have been recent changes to the federal student loan program that could impact LGBTQ people. March 2025
Impact of Executive Orders on Access to Federal Data - The Williams Institute
- Currently, the status of federal LGBTQ+ data is in limbo. Learn about how the loss of this data would affect LGBT research and policy. February 2025
- Study that analyzes order that impacts transgender youth in K-12 schools as well as school staff.
Impact of Mass Deportations on LGBT People - The Williams Institute
- The federal administration has placed an emphasis on mass deportations. Learn about how this will impact the LGBT community. February 2025
- Study examining the impact of removing non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ federal employees on those employees and the LGBTQ+ workforce in government. January 2025
Impact of Proposed Cuts to Federal Workforce on LGBTQ Employees - The Williams Institute
- Brief on how President Trump's cuts to the federal workforce will impact LGBTQ employees. January 2025
Impact of Executive Order Pausing U.S. Foreign Aid on LGBTQI+ People - The Williams Institute
- Learn about the impacts of pausing U.S. foreign aid on LGBTQI+ people both nationally and globally. January 2025
- This brief outlines the impact of the EO that redefines sex on the transgender, nonbinary, and intersex community.
Digital guides and tools that help to understand the impact of federal actions and executive orders.
Trump Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Order Litigation Tracker - National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
- This is a tracker of litigation around anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders from the federal government.
Executive Order Explainers and Resources - PFLAG
- Resources explaining each executive order and how it impacts the LGBTQ+ community.
Legal Challenges to President Trump’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Orders - GLAD Law
- GLAD Law is representing several LGBTQ+ clients as they fight back against discriminatory orders and actions. Learn about their cases here.
Recent statements and news from the Washington State Attorney General's office around issues that impact 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
For all statements from the Washington State Attorney General's office, click here.
AG Brown applauds judge’s ruling blocking Trump cuts to medical and public health research, June 17, 2025
WA leads multistate fight to protect youth from conversion ‘therapy’, June 3, 2025
Attorneys general oppose Trump ban on transgender military service, May 30, 2025
Washington State Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conditions on Funding for K-12 Schools, April 25, 2025
AGs warn against potential new passport application rules targeting trans individuals, March 17, 2025
Judge grants WA’s injunction request blocking Trump’s illegal order targeting trans youth and gender affirming care, Feb 28, 2025
AG Brown statement following PI hearing over Trump’s illegal gender-affirming care order, Feb 28, 2025
Washington stands with trans military personnel in multi-state amicus filing, Feb 26, 2025
WA judge temporarily halts unconstitutional Trump order targeting gender affirming care for youth, Feb 14, 2025
Other relevant statements from leaders and agencies in Washington state supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s Statement on Federal Attempt to Prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs, Feb 20, 2025
Washington State Department of Health
Washington prepares to continue support for LGBTQIA2S+ teens and young adults through 988 and other support networks, July 16, 2025
Recent news articles about the impact of federal actions on 2SLGBTQIA+ people and news on Washington state's response.
U.S. Government Restores $6.2 Million in Cut Funding to LGBTQ+/HIV Organizations After Lambda Legal Win [Lambda Legal - 7/15/25]
- Lambda Legal secures a win in restoring funding to nine organizations that provide services to LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV.
These trans service members are being forced out of the military due to Trump's ban [NBC News - 6/19/25]
- Learn about how transgender military members are being told to choose to leave or be kicked out of the military.
Transgender US Passport Holders Granted Temporary Relief in Challenge to Trump Gender Marker Policy [ACLU - 6/17/25]
- News on a legal victory for transgender people hoping to change their passport to the accurate gender marker.
US Supreme Court lets Trump's transgender military ban take effect [Reuters - 5/6/2025]
- News around the Supreme Court allowing the transgender military ban to take effect while the issue is argued in lower courts.
Trump’s HHS urges therapy for transgender youth, departing from broader gender-affirming health care [5/1/2025]
- Under President Trump, the federal Department of Health and Human Services rolled back guidance on science-backed gender-affirming care.
6 ways Trump’s executive orders are targeting transgender people [PBS - 2/1/25]
- Examples of how executive actions are specifically impacting the transgender population.
Articles, FAQ sheets and more around federal actions and orders that target 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Understanding Executive Orders and What They Mean for the LGBTQ+ Community - Human Rights Campaign
- Article from HRC on what an EO is and how these EOs that impact the LGBTQ community.
Understanding Trump's Trans Military Ban - A4TE
- Resource from Advocates for Trans Equality on the transgender military ban.
Executive Orders Affecting LGBTQ+ Communities: FAQs - Act for Public Health
- FAQ on how executive orders have impacted LGBTQ+ people and how they will impact public health.
Podcasts around federal executive order impacts for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Know Your LGBTQ+ Rights with Chase Strangio - ACLU At Liberty Podcast
- ACLU attorney and director of the ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Project, Chase Strangio explains President Trump's executive orders and what to know about your rights.
Videos, movies, and documentaries around 2SLGBTQIA+ impacts from federal actions.
Please note that some might not be free resources and might require a subscription service to view.
WA Department of Health - 988 You Matter Conversation
- Hear from Washington teens about 988 has helped them when they needed it most.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal Update on Federal Actions and Guidance
- Message from our State Superintendent on federal actions.
Under RCW 43.114.050, the duties of the LGBTQ Commission include providing a clearinghouse for information regarding both state and federal legislation as it relates to our purpose and providing resource and referral information to agencies and the public. While the LGBTQ Commission does not provide direct services, we work to connect constituents with affirming supports across the state through our collaboration with state agencies and community organizations. If you can't find what you are looking for here, reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov or use our contact form and a Commission staff member will get back to you.