The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance has joined a new federal lawsuit challenging unlawful and politically motivated funding restrictions imposed by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These new grant conditions threaten access to essential, life-saving services by targeting programs that center diversity, equity, inclusion, and transgender rights.
This lawsuit expands upon a legal effort originally launched by 17 state and territorial coalitions opposing similar conditions from the Department of Justice. The broadened coalition now includes over 20 plaintiffs—domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, LGBTQI+ and youth organizations, and homelessness service providers from across the country, including five new plaintiffs in Rhode Island.
These unlawful mandates are an attack on the very communities that federal programs were designed to support—and on the organizations working tirelessly to meet their needs.
Survivors and those experiencing crisis should not be forced to pay the price of political agendas. We are fighting back in court to defend their rights and preserve access to care, safety, and justice.
Help us fuel the fight — make a donation today: bit.ly/4f0cNOb
Read the press release from Democracy Forward announcing the new lawsuit: https://bit.ly/3IX5n1W
If you have questions or want to learn more about the coalition effort, please feel free to reach out our Director of Mission Advancement Jonathan Yglesias at jyglesias@vsdvalliance.org.
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