Attorney General Clark Supports Challenge to Executive Orders Unlawfully Targeting Transgender Individuals and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiatives

Attorney General Charity Clark, as part of a coalition of 18attorneys general, filed an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to President Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and programs that support transgender individuals.

Attorney General Clark and the coalition filed their brief in San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump before the United States Court of Appeals for the 9^th Circuit. At issue on appeal are several provisions in the executive orders that direct agencies to terminate federal funding for "equity-related" grants and grants that promote "gender ideology." The plaintiffs in the case argue that these funding provisions impose illegal burdens on organizations that provide critical services to LGBTQ communities - many specifically supporting transgender individuals.

In their brief, the attorneys general maintain that diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs are lawful, beneficial and ensure compliance with federal civil rights statutes. The coalition also explains how the challenged provisions in the executive orders harm their states, residents and businesses by denying them the many valuable benefits associated with workplaces, schools and communities that have adopted practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Additionally, the attorneys general explain that the funding provisions related to "gender ideology" unlawfully terminate grants and other awards that support critical services and lifesaving health care for transgender individuals. Not only does this discriminatory directive harm the organizations that rely on this funding, but it also harms the health and well-being of transgender residents who rely on these services and who are already among the most vulnerable members of our society.

A lower court granted the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction, but the administration appealed. Attorney General Clark and the coalition are urging the appeals court to uphold the injunction.

Joining Attorney General Clark in filing the brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.

A copy of the brief is available on our website.

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171