The trump administration has cut off funding for LGBTQ+ advocacy at home and abroad, dismantling global programs and silencing vital research efforts.
At a Glance
- Global Equality Fund Eliminated by State Department
- NIH Cancels Over 270 LGBTQ-Focused Grants
- CDC Ends Surveillance of Transgender Health Data
- Stonewall UK Warns of Potential Staff Cuts
- Legal Pushback Emerges Over “Ideological” Defunding
Global Fund Terminated, Webpage Wiped
With a single Executive Order, the Trump administration ended financial support for the Global Equality Fund, a once-vital program that channeled over $100 million into LGBTQ+ rights efforts across more than 100 countries. The State Department confirmed the fund’s termination, stating that only programs aligned with “America First” foreign policy will continue. The fund’s website was scrubbed from the State Department domain, a move activists say symbolizes a deeper institutional shift.
Domestic Research Faces Massive Blow
The ripple effects hit home swiftly. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) canceled more than 270 grants supporting LGBTQ+-centered research, citing new executive orders aimed at reining in “ideological” spending. These cuts—totaling an estimated $125 million—jeopardize studies on HIV prevention, mental health, and transgender health services.
“This has been a devastating experience,” said Dr. Brian Mustanski of Northwestern University, one of several researchers whose programs are now on hold. Other affected scientists include Dr. Philip Chan, who argued that decades of data prove the need for tailored LGBTQ+ health strategies, and epidemiologist Julia Marcus, who described the purge as “authoritarianism” fueled by fear.
CDC Quietly Drops Transgender Data
Alongside the NIH overhaul, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ceased collecting or publishing data on transgender individuals in its surveillance reports. Web references to gender identity were quietly removed from CDC platforms. According to a Reuters investigation, the directive follows Executive Order 14168, which redefines gender-related federal classifications based on binary sex designations only.
This change has drawn fire from public health experts who warn it will cripple future research into STIs, HIV, and mental health disparities affecting trans populations.
Stonewall Scrambles as Funds Dry Up
The impact stretches far beyond U.S. borders. Stonewall UK, one of Europe’s most prominent LGBTQ+ rights groups, confirmed it faces a budget shortfall so severe that half of its staff positions may be eliminated. “We’re undergoing an organization-wide consultation,” said CEO Simon Blake, adding that only roles with secured short-term funding are safe.
In a public statement, Stonewall warned, “Hard-won rights are being rolled back for marginalized communities across the world.” The charity pledged to continue its advocacy despite the funding crisis, but acknowledged that the U.S. decision has dealt a blow to global solidarity for LGBTQ+ protections.
Legal Challenges Begin to Mount
Back in the U.S., several universities and civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, are preparing lawsuits against the administration over the NIH defunding. They argue that canceling grants based on “ideological criteria” violates both academic freedom and anti-discrimination statutes. Lawsuits are expected to hinge on the new policies’ vague definitions and lack of scientific justification.
A spokesperson for the State Department defended the actions, saying, “Programs not advancing President Trump’s priorities were terminated.” The administration also claims the changes will root out fraud and restore efficiency in federal spending.
While critics label it a sweeping rollback of inclusion, supporters say it’s a necessary reset to reclaim control over government-funded research. As lawsuits and layoffs continue, the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy remains uncertain—caught in the crossfire of ideological realignment.
