As the globe came together to celebrate WorldPride right here in the District, we commemorated the fifth anniversary of Bostock v. Clayton County, which affirmed the rights of LGBTQ+ workers, and the tenth anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, which affirmed the freedom to marry nationwide. Both are landmark victories secured by the ACLU and the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on medically necessary gender-affirming care for transgender youth in U.S. v. Skrmetti. This is a devastating loss for transgender people and our families, and an affront to the Constitution. We'll continue to fight alongside trans youth for the health care they deserve – and remain committed to a world where all people have safe schools, strong communities, loving families, and self-determination over their own bodies and future.

With economic challenges looming for District residents, D.C. needs to do everything it can to ensure people's basic needs are met. We're encouraging the D.C. Council to adopt a budget that protects our most vulnerable residents and:

• Maintains critical support for families and children, such as the D.C. child tax credit, and access to youth programming and support;
• Restores, maintains, and back-fills lost federal funding to support LGBTQ+ and immigrant residents;
• Limits increases in MPD's budget and prioritizes funding that has positive impacts on community safety and wellbeing, such as funding for behavioral health, early intervention, diversion, reentry, and victim support services; and
• Allocates public – not private – funding for a new D.C. Jail.

In this critical moment, we invite you to explore highlights of our recent work and ways that you can get involved.

VICTORIES: Due process rights + medically necessary health care

Following a lawsuit from the ACLU-D.C. and our national partners, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration must give the men they deported to an El Salvador mega prison the chance to challenge their detention in court. This is a significant step in ensuring that people sent to this notorious prison are given their due process rights.

A federal judge also blocked President Trump's executive order prohibiting transgender people incarcerated in federal custody from receiving gender-affirming medical care. This ruling is a critical reminder to the Trump administration that trans people, like all people, have constitutional rights that don't simply disappear because the president has decided to wage an ideological battle. Your support continues to make these victories possible.

GUIDE: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Resource Hub

From the first days of the second Trump administration, LGBTQ+ people's rights have been under attack. Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution and D.C. Law. The ACLU-D.C. is here to help protect those rights. Understanding your rights and preparing for potential changes to the law are critical steps toward protecting yourself and your community. Visit our guide to learn more.

BLOG: What Trans and Nonbinary Joy Looks Like in D.C.

Transgender and nonbinary people have always been here and are not going anywhere – no matter what President Trump says. Too often, stories about trans and nonbinary people focus only on grief and trauma. But trans people and nonbinary people deserve narratives that reflect the full scope of humanity. That's why we partnered with members of our community, as well as SMYAL, an organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth, to uplift the joys of families with trans and nonbinary members. These families highlight what it means to have the freedom to be: to be loved, to be safe, and to be trusted to tell your own story.

Visit our website to stay up-to-date on our work and learn about ways to get involved. With your support, we will continue to challenge harmful policies and build a more just and free D.C.

Thanks for sticking with us,

ACLU of the District of Columbia