Gayety

Tag: USAID

  • Transgender Rights Protesters Rally at U.S. Capitol Against Trump Administration’s Policies

    Transgender Rights Protesters Rally at U.S. Capitol Against Trump Administration’s Policies

    Hundreds of transgender individuals and their allies gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday for a powerful protest against what they see as a widening assault on the transgender community under the Trump administration.

    Hope Giselle-Godsey, the director of communications for the GSA Network, which supports trans and queer youth, spoke passionately about the ongoing fight for transgender rights. “Too many of us have come here today in an effort to protest for things that we should not have to beg for: our civil rights, our children, our medical care, access and resources, and the ability to fight for a country that doesn’t give a damn about us,” she said, according to The Washington Blade.

    Giselle-Godsey’s comments were met with cheers from the crowd, as she emphasized that transgender people would continue to fight for their rights. “We have been here, we will always be here,” she declared. “And there is no legislation, there is no piece of paper, document, or thing that ‘that Orange’ can sign that is going to make us disappear.”

    The rally was in response to a series of controversial actions taken by the Trump administration in recent weeks. Among the most notable were executive orders aimed at banning healthcare for transgender youth, barring transgender athletes from competing in school sports, and blocking changes to gender markers on U.S. passports. The administration also moved to expel transgender service members from the military and shut down critical programs like USAID, which provides life-saving medications to vulnerable communities globally.

    The Transgender Unity Rally, organized by the Transgender Unity Coalition, began at the Capitol and proceeded with a march to the Ellipse, a large park located at the southern end of the White House. Participants, holding handmade signs and waving trans and rainbow Pride flags, chanted, “Out of the closets and into the streets!” as they made their way along Constitution Avenue.

    One of the rally’s speakers, Georgetown University professor Chloe Schwenke, who previously served as an Obama appointee to USAID, condemned the administration’s actions, particularly the closure of USAID, which provides critical aid to LGBTQIA communities worldwide. “USAID has been destroyed, and with it, the aid that goes out to LGBTQIA people around the world,” Schwenke said. “Some of that aid is literally there to keep them alive—the women, the children, the men who have AIDS—they will not get their medication. They will die. And this administration is okay with that policy.”

    Schwenke also expressed concern over Trump’s State Department policies, saying, “They are now deciding how to deny visas to people who want to come to World Pride here in Washington, D.C.” She added that the administration is working to prevent transgender people from participating in future international events, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

    D.C. resident Emmett Livingstone spoke to the crowd with an impassioned call for resistance. “As individuals in our various communities and workplaces, I encourage you all to be as irritating and hard to remove as a pebble in their shoe, a grain of sand in their eye, or even better — be glitter,” Livingstone said. “Everyone, let’s race to support each other and grind their efforts to deny us to a halt. Do not go quietly. Correct misinformation when you hear it. Even a simple, ‘Hey man, that’s not okay.’”

    Livingstone urged the protesters to continue fighting back against discrimination, asserting, “Trump is not a king, Elon is not our president. I call on all of you to resist in any way you can, big or small. Be the glitter they cannot get rid of and never let anyone dull your shine.”

    “We’re here, we’re queer. They will get used to it,” Livingstone added, emphasizing that the transgender community will not be silenced.

    In a positive development prior to the march, a federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction late Friday blocking the Trump administration’s effort to withhold federal funds from hospitals in four states that offer gender-related healthcare for transgender youth. Judge Lauren J. King ruled that the administration’s order likely violated the separation of powers between the executive branch and Congress, as well as the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantees for youth seeking gender-affirming care.

    The ruling was seen as a significant victory for transgender advocates, as it prevents the administration from immediately enforcing policies that could restrict access to necessary healthcare for transgender individuals.

    The rally at the U.S. Capitol underscored the growing resistance against the Trump administration’s policies targeting the transgender community. Despite the challenges they face, protesters sent a clear message: they will continue to fight for their rights, and they are determined to ensure that transgender individuals are treated with dignity and respect in the U.S. and beyond.

  • Stonewall Charity Faces Staff Cuts Amid US Foreign Aid Reductions and Financial Struggles

    Stonewall Charity Faces Staff Cuts Amid US Foreign Aid Reductions and Financial Struggles

    UK LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall is undergoing an organization-wide consultation that could lead to significant staff cuts. The decision comes in the wake of changes to US foreign aid policies under the Donald Trump administration, which have affected several global LGBTQ+ organizations, including Stonewall.

    A spokesperson for Stonewall confirmed to PinkNews that they cannot yet provide an exact figure on the number of redundancies. However, multiple reports, citing sources within the charity, suggest that Stonewall could be forced to reduce its workforce by as much as half due to cuts in US foreign aid.

    In early February, Elon Musk, who is leading the push to reduce the size of the federal government through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced that work was underway to dissolve the US foreign aid agency USAID. The agency, which has faced intense scrutiny under the Trump administration, employed approximately 10,000 people.

    The move to shut down USAID follows years of turmoil for the agency, with reports from The Washington Post describing it as having been “whipsawed by aid freezes, personnel purges, and confusion.” Trump has been vocal in his disdain for USAID, referring to its leadership as a “bunch of radical lunatics.” Musk also joined in the criticism, calling the agency “evil” and accusing it of harboring “radical-left Marxists” who “hate America.”

    In addition, Musk made unfounded claims on social media, including a tweet suggesting that USAID was responsible for funding bioweapons research related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a baseless accusation. The Trump administration also falsely alleged that USAID had supported a “transgender opera.”

    Over the past three years, Stonewall has received over half a million pounds from the US government as part of the Global Equality Fund, which aids LGBTQ+ organizations around the world. The reduction in foreign aid has had a direct impact on Stonewall’s ability to carry out its work, with the charity now facing tough decisions regarding its staffing and funding.

    Stonewall Adapts to Changing Political Landscape

    Despite the challenges, Stonewall remains committed to its mission. A charity spokesperson told PinkNews that the organization is adapting to meet the demands of a changing political landscape. “Hard-won rights are being rolled back for marginalized communities across the world, and we are seeing an unprecedented political backlash against the principles of inclusion,” the spokesperson said. “Stonewall is adapting to ensure that it is fit for purpose and able to meet the challenges of this new political era.”

    The spokesperson emphasized that Stonewall has had to be flexible in the past and will continue to do so in the future. “Over the last 35+ years, Stonewall has often needed to be agile and adapt to a changing world, and now it is no different. We know that we must work differently than we have previously to be effective in the coming years—and we are future-proofing with that in mind,” they added.

    The spokesperson also noted that many charities, including Stonewall, are facing difficult decisions due to financial pressures. The charity’s most recent annual report for 2023-2024 revealed a deficit of more than £800,000, which it attributed to “challenging operating conditions.”

    Stonewall’s History and Political Challenges

    Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a group of gay and lesbian activists who were fighting against the UK’s homophobic Section 28 legislation, a law introduced by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The charity’s first office was in the home of gay actor Sir Ian McKellen. Since its inception, Stonewall has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, working on issues such as equal marriage, adoption rights, and workplace protections.

    However, in recent years, the organization has faced increasing political and media scrutiny. In 2021, Scottish minister Patrick Harvie commented on the “opportunistic hate campaign” that Stonewall had been subjected to. Critics of Stonewall have targeted its Diversity Champions program, which helps workplaces become more LGBTQ+ inclusive by providing guidance on issues like parental leave for same-sex couples.

    Stonewall’s work has also been criticized by some conservative groups and politicians, including former President Donald Trump. Since taking office, Trump has sought to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in both public and private sectors. This shift has further complicated the charity’s work, particularly in the international arena, where it relies on funding from organizations like USAID.

    Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Stonewall

    As Stonewall navigates these significant financial and political challenges, the charity’s leadership remains focused on ensuring that its mission of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights remains strong. Despite the cuts to foreign aid and the ongoing political backlash against LGBTQ+ advocacy, Stonewall is committed to continuing its work and adapting to the evolving landscape.

    While staff reductions may be necessary, Stonewall remains dedicated to ensuring that the fight for LGBTQ+ equality continues, both in the UK and globally. As the charity looks to the future, it will likely need to find new ways to sustain its work and maintain its position as a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

  • Trump Administration Halts PrEP Access for Gay Men and Sex Workers, Raising Concerns Over HIV Outbreaks Abroad

    Trump Administration Halts PrEP Access for Gay Men and Sex Workers, Raising Concerns Over HIV Outbreaks Abroad

    The U.S. State Department has issued a memo stating that the Donald Trump’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will now only provide HIV-prevention medications, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW), excluding other high-risk groups such as LGBTQ+ people, sex workers, and individuals at greater risk of contracting HIV. The decision, linked to a broader U.S. foreign aid policy change, has drawn backlash from HIV advocacy groups, medical professionals, and international health organizations.

    The memo, distributed by the State Department’s Global Health Security and Diplomacy program, states that individuals at high risk of HIV infection, including LGBTQ+ people, can no longer receive PrEP funded by PEPFAR during a 90-day “pause” on U.S. foreign assistance. This hold was implemented following President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reevaluating and realigning U.S. foreign aid. According to the memo, the pause is meant to ensure that U.S. funding is strictly aligned with Trump’s foreign policy, including eliminating programs deemed “woke” or inconsistent with his administration’s values.

    Critics of the policy argue that limiting access to HIV prevention medications based on narrowly defined criteria will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations around the world. Wayne Besen, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Truth Wins Out, condemned the memo, calling the move “cruel” and accusing the Trump administration of intentionally discriminating against marginalized groups. “This could cruelly lead to the infection, and eventual death, of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide,” Besen said, pointing out the contradiction in a supposed “pro-life” agenda that ignores the health needs of at-risk populations.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been at the center of the decision, issued a waiver for essential medical services affected by the funding pause. However, the memo clarified that PEPFAR funds would be restricted in several ways, including denying PrEP medications to everyone except PBFW, halting HIV spread surveys, and suspending tracking systems for issues such as child abuse. These changes have disrupted services provided by clinics in numerous countries, with many healthcare workers reporting unpaid wages and the cessation of critical prevention programs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

    The restrictions are expected to result in rising HIV rates, outbreaks, and preventable deaths, as the loss of funding limits the ability of health workers and researchers to manage the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis. Critics of the policy note that cutting off access to prevention tools could exacerbate the global health crisis and undermine decades of progress in fighting the epidemic.

    Adding to the controversy, these cuts to foreign aid coincide with the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has historically played a key role in implementing global health programs, including HIV/AIDS relief. The Trump administration’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has focused on reducing or eliminating agencies it deems ineffective or unnecessary, including USAID. Musk has described the agency as a “criminal organization” but has not provided evidence to support this claim. In the wake of these actions, many USAID employees have been furloughed or dismissed, further complicating efforts to provide aid to those in need.

    The suspension of USAID’s website and the mass layoffs have left PEPFAR recipients without essential guidance and support. According to sources, organizations receiving HIV prevention funding must now apply for special waivers to access any remaining resources. Lawsuits have been filed in response to the dismantling of USAID, with contractors demanding payment for millions in outstanding bills, and nonprofit organizations, including the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), calling for an end to what they describe as illegal and unconstitutional actions against the agency.

    The global health community has expressed concern over the potential consequences of these policies. HIV/AIDS experts warn that the disruptions in funding and the narrowing of eligibility for preventive care could lead to a resurgence in HIV cases, particularly in regions where the virus remains a significant public health challenge. As the situation develops, international organizations and health professionals continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, and those at the highest risk for HIV transmission.

    The State Department’s restrictions on PEPFAR funding remain in effect for the time being, and the future of U.S. foreign aid and global health programs remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues to reevaluate its priorities.