A new series by the Williams Institute examines the impact of President Trump's executive orders on LGBTQ people. Keep in mind that there are limits on what a president can do through executive orders. Additionally, their implementation is often not immediate and many will face substantial litigation.

Executive Order: "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation"

On January 28, President Trump signed an executive order that aims to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender minors—defined as youth under age 19.

An estimated 300,000 youth ages 13-17 in the U.S. identify as transgender. Our new report finds more than 180,000 of them live in states that currently support access to gender-affirming care. Some of these youth may now face barriers to receiving care based on the order. The 110,000 transgender youth who live in states that currently restrict or limit access to care could face additional challenges.

Executive Order: "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing" 

In his first two weeks in office, President Trump has taken several steps to significantly reduce the federal workforce and budget. These include issuing a series of day-one executive orders, firing scores of federal employees, and offering nearly 2 million government workers a buyout to resign before February 6.

Our new report finds as many as 314,000 LGBTQ employees of the federal government, federal contractors, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) could be impacted by these cuts. Among LGBTQ employees, a reduction in the federal workforce will disproportionately impact LBTQ women, younger LGBTQ people, and those with a college degree.

Executive Order: "Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid" 

On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order that placed a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign assistance to all developing countries while the government evaluates programs’ efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.

Our new report finds that the order will likely have far-reaching consequences for a broad range of activities and interventions to advance the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in developing countries, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and LGBTQI+-inclusive development work by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Williams Institute hosts the premier national moot court competition dedicated exclusively to sexual orientation and gender identity law. Competitors write an appellate brief on a current legal topic and argue the case before a panel of judges. This year’s problem will address an asexual school librarian’s rights under Title VII and the First Amendment.

All judges will be offered up to three hours of MCLE credit for participating in the competition.

UCLA School of Law is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider. This session is approved for 3  hours of MCLE credit.

Daniel H. Renberg Law Fellow

The Williams Institute seeks a law fellow to engage in cutting-edge and high-quality research and analysis related to sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. The law fellow will conduct legal and multi-disciplinary research on discrimination facing LGBTQ people, LGBTQ health, LGBTQ families, and criminal justice, among other topics. The fellow will provide research and writing support to senior scholars and will contribute to self-published reports, academic articles, public comments, amicus briefs, and other work. The position is for two years. 

Deadline to apply: February 13, 2025

Project Policy Analyst

The Williams Institute is looking for a policy analyst to assist scholars in conducting public policy, social science, and public health research related to the mission of the Institute. Responsibilities include research and analysis of regulations and legislation, data analysis, preparing written products, and coordinating project timelines, research materials, and data collection. The Institute is particularly interested in candidates with experience in analyzing racial and ethnic disparities, intersectional research, and/or democracy and international research questions.

Deadline to apply: March 6, 2025

Due to the recent fires and their devastating impact on Los Angeles, we have rescheduled our Jazz Brunch for Sunday, March 2. Join us at the Los Angeles home of James Frost for jazz music and delicious food as we celebrate our rigorous, independent research on LGBTQ law and policy.

You're invited! The Williams Institute's Annual Gala is scheduled for April 5, 2025, at 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. This year's event will celebrate the power of research in combating misinformation and establishing the groundwork for evidence-based laws and policies.

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.