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Trump’s vow to invoke national emergency powers and use military force for mass deportations roils LA

Fearing loss of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and military involvement in civil law enforcement, immigration community scrambles

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Donald Trump has made clear his intention to begin mass deportations immediately upon taking office on January 20, 2025, a promise he made repeatedly during his 2024 presidential campaign.

“On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out,” he declared during a rally at Madison Square Garden in the final days of the presidential race. “I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”

This week, for the first time, Trump vowed to invoke national emergency powers to execute this plan and, particularly troubling, will use the Armed Services to do so.

National emergency declarations have long been used by U.S. presidents to access extraordinary powers, often bypassing congressional oversight. The National Emergencies Act (NEA) of 1976 was designed to prevent unchecked executive authority, but its provisions have failed to effectively curb presidential overreach. While the act sets guidelines for declaring national emergencies, presidents have frequently invoked this power to justify wide-ranging actions, from military interventions (abroad) to surveillance programs (domestically and abroad).

For example, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush invoked national emergency powers to pass the Patriot Act, which allowed for sweeping surveillance and counterterrorism measures with minimal congressional oversight. This precedent establishes a concerning foundation for Trump’s proposed use of emergency powers in the realm of immigration enforcement.

Trump’s pledge to invoke emergency powers to detain, round up, and deport over 11 million undocumented immigrants would result in a domestic military operation of unprecedented scale.

He vows to build “vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers” for immigrants as their cases progressed and they waited to be flown to other countries. While large-scale deportation efforts have been attempted in the past—most recently President Eisenhower’s “Operation Wetback” in the 1950s, which deported 1.1 million people—today’s proposed numbers are far greater. Even the Obama administration, which deported 1.8 million people during its tenure, faced significant legal and logistical hurdles that made large-scale deportations difficult to carry out quickly and without consequence.

Many hurdles exist.

Legal challenges are almost certain to engulf Trump’s administration should it pursue such a plan. These challenges will include key issues such as whether the president can lawfully bypass Congress to enforce mass deportations. There will also be significant legal disputes surrounding the treatment of detained immigrants, particularly their Due Process rights under the U.S. Constitution. 

The 2018 Supreme Court case Jennings v Rodriguez, reaffirmed that due process protections apply to all individuals on U.S. soil, regardless of immigration status, guaranteeing them rights such as bond hearings and access to counsel. 

Any attempt to bypass these rights would invite immediate and substantial legal challenges, further complicating Trump’s efforts.

In addition to these legal complexities, the logistical challenges of executing such a massive operation would be immense. Deporting millions of individuals would require extensive resources for transportation, housing, medical care, and sustenance.  Some estimate the price tag could exceed $300 billion dollars.

The U.S. government would need to significantly expand detention facilities and infrastructure to accommodate such a large influx of detainees. 

Historical attempts to increase detention capacity, such as the family detention centers under Obama, faced severe criticism for overcrowding, inhumane conditions and the violation of human rights.

Legal objections are likely to arise concerning the use of armed military personnel in civilian spaces. Deploying military forces for domestic law enforcement operations could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military personnel in civilian law enforcement activities. Previous efforts to militarize U.S. immigration enforcement—such as the use of the National Guard at the U.S.-Mexico border—faced constitutional challenges and public backlash. 

If Trump proceeds with using the military for mass deportations, it would almost certainly prompt immediate legal challenges based on this law.

Trump has long expressed disdain for the traditional system of checks and balances, viewing even basic constitutional arguments as an obstacle to his leadership. 

He has shown that he will not hesitate to bypass Congress and other governmental processes for key appointments. For example, during his first term, Trump repeatedly sought to circumvent the Senate confirmation process, such as with his appointments to the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services, where he clashed with Senate Democrats over key nominations.

Trump is not shy about his broader desire to centralize power within the executive branch, diminishing the role of both the legislative and judicial branches. His antagonism toward agencies like the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council—which he has accused of undermining his administration—further underscores his aim to weaken institutional checks on executive power. If unchecked, we could see a presidency where unilateral decisions by the executive become the norm, with minimal oversight from Congress or the courts.

Already, Trump has signaled his intent to appoint loyalists to key agencies, many of which he clashed with or feels have hindered his agenda. Examples include his controversial Pentagon appointments, as well as his selection of Director of National Intelligence and Health and Human Services leaders, who have been seen as part of his push to exert more control over agencies he perceives as obstructionist or hostile. He has already assigned a Border Czar, Tom Homan, who separated thousands of families at the border during Trump’s first term; that policy resulted in children never again being found.

Seizing emergency powers would allow Trump to bypass some, but not all, political and legal barriers to implementing his deportation plan. 

To make it more feasible, he would likely need to suspend aspects of Due Process protections, militarize public spaces and bypass rules surrounding the detention of individuals without adequate hearings or access to credible legal counsel. This would create a system where any individual could be detained, processed and deported with no actual regard for constitutional protections.

In short, a frustrated Trump—empowered by a Republican-majority Congress and a potentially willing DOJ and Supreme Court—might attempt to suspend the constitution.

This is not without precedent. 

Over 120,000 people of Japanese descent were interned in camps throught out the US during World War II, including 20,000 at Los Angeles County’s Santa Anita Assembly Center. (Photo: PBS)

In 1862, President Lincoln issued Presidential Proclamation 94 which suspended the writ of habeas corpus. (Photo from National Archives education division)

During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to suppress dissent, and during World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s internment of Japanese Americans involved the suspension of their constitutional rights in the name of national security. 

While these actions were taken during times of war, they set dangerous precedents for the suspension of civil liberties in the face of perceived national crises. Trump has called the immigration an ‘invasion’ and has referred to migrants and their protectors as the ‘enemy within.’

Though few are publicly contemplating this possibility, we must acknowledge that we are on a trajectory toward some form of civil rights suspension, and certainly, we are witnessing a potential for widespread executive overreach.

At the local level, cities and states have vowed to resist Trump’s immigration plans. 

The Los Angeles City Council has declared itself a Sanctuary City, and Mayor Karen Bass has pledged that no city resources or personnel will support deportation efforts. 

Similarly, Governor Gavin Newsom of California has made declarations on behalf of the state. 

However, these measures do not prevent the federal government from taking action on the ground. 

In fact, Trump and Congress have the authority to terminate federal funding to uncooperative states and local governments. 

In 2021, for example, California received over $150 billion in federal funding, which could be withheld as political leverage at every turn to force compliance with federal immigration policies.

Most immigration rights advocates, attorneys and others want to point out that there is every reason to remain hopeful and that Due Process rights, good judges and justice minded citizens will work to protect most people from unjust treatment and deportation.

However, it’s not clear what Due Process or advocacy might look like if Trump militarizes the process and suspends the Constitution.

There are currently several immigration violations that could lead to the deportation of individuals attempting to remain in the U.S. and people who entered the country without authorization are often a focus of immigration enforcement, particularly under the Trump administration. 

However, the specifics of deportation policies can vary and it’s important to note that many individuals who entered the U.S. improperly have remained in the country for years, blending into communities. 

Some of these individuals have applied for asylum or are in the process of adjusting their status through other legal avenues, such as family-based petitions or employment-based green card applications. 

The process for detaining and deporting these individuals can depend on several factors, including whether they have a criminal record, whether they are in removal proceedings or their current legal status.

Ally Bolour, a well-known immigration attorney based in Los Angeles, says he has faith in Due Process but is “concerned that the process may become much more restrictive and that due process may be minimal and not applied fairly.”

Bolour has since 1996 worked with individuals facing deportation and specializes in cases involving people who have entered the U.S. without authorization and those seeking asylum.

Ally Bolour.

“Sensitivity to the queer minority is going to be minimal,” under Trump’s immigration system, he says.. “They won’t care. It’s literally a fact that, if you are a gay person fleeing the Islamic Republic, you’re fleeing because they’re gonna hang you. Credible fear. But after January 20, as I see it,chances of a gay Iranian being able to and pass the credible fear becomes more difficult than it is today.” 

Los Angeles Blade spoke with Bolour about 23 year old Jesus, one of the more than 200,000 LGBTQ immigrants who have made their way to California in the past few years. 

His immigration situation as an asylum seeker today illustrates the impact a growing maze of intentional legal and bureaucratic hurdles has on immigrants’ ability to advance their cases.

Jesus made his way to the U.S. seeking refuge from the violence and instability that defined his life in Venezuela. 

Born in Caracas, Jesus’ childhood was marked by the unraveling of his family’s middle-class life as Venezuela descended into political and economic chaos. His father, once a government worker loyal to Hugo Chávez, witnessed the system’s collapse from within. He refused to comply with orders from high-ranking officials like Diosdado Cabello, resulting in the family’s swift downfall. 

Jesus’ early years were defined by loss, as their possessions and status vanished, leaving them targets of a ruthless government.

Venezuela’s economic collapse, particularly between 2013 and 2023, created unimaginable hardship. Hyperinflation and a crumbling economy made basic necessities unattainable, and survival became a daily struggle. But for Jesus, being gay in a country that became increasingly hostile to LGBTQ people added another layer of peril. 

“In Venezuela, being gay isn’t just a social challenge—it’s a potential death sentence,” he explains, recalling countless friends lost to violence or suicide. The societal rejection and threats, he says, were constant.

Faced with this brutal reality, Jesus made the decision to flee Venezuela. “It wasn’t impulsive; it was a matter of survival” he says. Part of a larger wave of over 7 million Venezuelans fleeing the country, Jesus traveled to Mexico City, then to Tijuana, before crossing the U.S. border on foot near San Diego. He chose to surrender to U.S. border authorities, a decision that led to his detention across various facilities in the Southwestern and Southeastern U.S.

During his six months in detention, Jesus faced COVID-19, potential deportation, and constant uncertainty. Yet, even in these grim circumstances, he found a sense of community among other LGBTQ detainees. “We watched out for each other,” he recalls. Eventually, a friend bailed him out.

Today, Jesus works and lives in California, grateful for his newfound safety but now facing the prospect of having his American journey crushed by Donald Trump.

Jesus mingles in the crowd at a recent Washington DC Pride celebration. (Photo by Los Angeles Blade)

Because he crossed the U.S. border illegally, his designation remains “Entered Without Inspection” (EWI)—a status that may pose a significant threat to his ability to remain in the country.

Trump’s immigration round up plan appears to target individuals with EWI status no matter how long they have been in the country or where they are in the process of becoming a visa holder (witness his determination to remove even American-born adult children of elderly immigrants in this status).

In an effort to strengthen Jesus’ case, his attorney has suggested a bold and complicated strategy: leave the U.S. and re-enter through legal channels. 

Attorney Bolour says he would advise against this strategy for someone like Jesus. 

“For those with pending asylum applications and an expired TPS, it is very difficult to obtain Advanced Parole,” he says. “There are significant risks involved.” He recommends that people in this situation “do not travel until they have some form of approved status, such as TPS.” 

Bolour notes that “every case is different” and it is imperative that people “consult with counsel before making any firm decisions.”

In the case of Jesus, if he was able to wipe the EWI status from his record, it might help him avoid the First Country Rule.

This rule mandates asylum seekers apply for asylum in the first country they reach after fleeing their home country, and for Jesus, that country was Mexico. If he were able to reset his immigration record, this rule might potentially no longer apply to him.

However, his ability to exit the US and reenter is made risky because his Temporary Protected Status , which had allowed him to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation, expired in March 2024. Since then, he has been waiting for his renewal application to be processed. 

TPS was set for automatic renewal but the system has conveniently failed to renew status for thousands of people.

Without a valid TPS, Jesus cannot legally leave the U.S., as doing so would trigger an automatic ban on his re-entry.

To leave the country legally, he would need to apply for Advanced Parole, a document that permits individuals to travel abroad temporarily without risking their legal status. 

But obtaining Advanced Parole is no simple feat. The application process can take months and even if expedited, there is no guarantee of timely approval. It’s impossible, however, without an active TPS.

The intersection of expired TPS, bureaucratic delays and the looming threat of U.S. military lead deportation and harsh immigration policies leaves Jesus in a state of perpetual uncertainty.

Bolour says everyone “must be prepared for the worst possible outcome: a systematic erosion of civil rights, aggressive federal action, and a significant legal, human rights, and constitutional crisis.”

To that end, Bolour says the most important thing any person facing immigration challenges should have, is a plan:

  1. Remain Calm:
    • Stay calm and do not physically resist. Immigration agents have the authority to detain you, but resisting can lead to additional charges or complications.
    • NOTE:  If agents appear at your door with a warrant for your arrest, do not let them in unless the warrant has been signed by a judge.
  2. Know Your Rights:
    • You have the right to remain silent and not answer questions about your immigration status. You also have the right to ask for a lawyer. Remember, anything you say can be used against you in the future.
  3. Request to Contact an Attorney:
    • Ask to speak with an immigration attorney immediately. You have the right to legal counsel, and an attorney can guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected.
  4. Do Not Sign Any Documents Without Legal Advice:
    • Do not sign anything without understanding what it means. Immigration officials may ask you to sign forms or waivers, which could impact your case. Consult with an attorney before signing any documents.
  5. Provide Only Basic Information:
    • Only provide your name, address, and date of birth. Avoid answering other questions or providing more personal information without a lawyer present.
  6. Limit Social Media posts:
    • Do not post private information or photos and restrict your interactions to known participants. If your page is public, set to friends only and do not share your location.
  7. Document the Detention:
    • If possible, have a trusted friend or family member document your detention, including the time, location, and agents involved. This information can be important for legal proceedings or for advocacy groups that may assist in your case.
  8. Exercise Your Right to Make a Phone Call:
    • You have the right to make a phone call to family, friends, or your attorney. Immigration authorities should allow you to call a lawyer, though this may vary by location.
  9. Request a Hearing:
    • You have the right to request a hearing in front of an immigration judge. Your attorney can help you with this process and inform you of any options for contesting your detention.
  10. Avoid Talking About Your Case:
    • Do not discuss your case with other detainees, as it may be used against you. Stick to speaking with your lawyer or trusted individuals.
  11. Stay in Contact with Support Networks:
    • Keep your family, friends, and advocacy organizations informed about your situation so they can assist with legal or practical needs during the detention process.
  12. Create an emergency notification group:
    • If you are detained or face any urgent situation, inform a trusted core group of family and friends who can collaborate to assist you.

By following such steps, Bolour says, you can help ensure that your legal rights are respected and that you have the best chance of navigating the immigration detention process effectively.

“It is affecting my health and I don’t know what my real options are,” says Jesus. “They keep adding rules and conditions and slowing my ability to keep the case up to date. It’s like a game of musical chairs where you run out of time to get to the right place before Trump stops the music.”

“But,” adds Jesus, “I am not going to give up. I can’t. Even though I don’t know what’s next.”

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Los Angeles

LGBTQ+ proponents respond to “devastating” Supreme Court ruling

Supreme Court allows “unlawful” immigration operations to continue

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(Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Since June, federal agencies began conducting mass immigration operations in Los Angeles and other major cities. For just as long, local residents, leaders, and advocacy groups have challenged their arrest and detainment practices, citing that their methods have violated constitutional rights. 

In July, individual workers were joined by organizations like the Los Angeles Worker Center Network and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), arguing that federal agents had been illegally arresting people based on their perceived race, language and work — a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

As a result, two temporary restraining orders were issued, barring federal agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion. DHS was also ordered to provide access to legal counsel for detainees.

On Monday, the Supreme Court voted to end this and granted the federal government’s application for a stay — or pause — of the temporary restraining orders. This will allow immigration operations to continue, and how they will proceed worries local leaders. 

“This Supreme Court ruling strikes at the heart of who we are as a nation—allowing immigration agents to stop and detain people for little more than speaking Spanish or having brown skin,” wrote District 51 Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ civil liberty. “This endangers our communities, undermines our democracy, and erodes constitutional rights.” 

Some city officials hope to continue providing resources and support to affected community members. “As the raids were taking place across the region and in our own City, we took immediate action to ensure there are adequate resources to care for and support immigrants and their families,” wrote West Hollywood mayor Chelsea Byers. “This work will continue.”

West Hollywood was one of several Los Angeles county municipalities that filed a motion to intervene in the ongoing lawsuit, calling for the court to stop the federal government from conducting unlawful stops and searches that were based on assumed race and not on probable cause. It also activated its West Hollywood Responds program to raise awareness on available services like legal toolkits and training, consultations, access to free meals and more.

Local organizations are also extending their support. “The Supreme Court’s ruling is a devastating setback for Latine and immigrant communities, especially LGBTQ+ people who already face immense barriers to safety and belonging,” wrote Terra Russell-Slavin, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s chief strategy officer. Russell-Slavin explained that the center has expanded free legal clinics both virtually and throughout the city to provide Know Your Rights workshops and other immigration and asylum support services.

“You are not alone,” Russell-Slavin continued. “And the Center will continue to stand with you.” 

On September 24, the federal district court will hold a hearing to consider additional evidence and a possible preliminary injunction that will pause this most recent ruling.

Kristie Song reports for the Blade courtesy of the California Local News Fellowship

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National

Military families challenge Trump ban on trans healthcare

Three military families are suing over Trump’s directive cutting transgender healthcare from military coverage

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A supporter of transgender healthcare holds a sign advocating for gender-affirming care during Baltimore Pride earlier this year. (Blade by Michael Key)

Three military families sued the Department of Defense on Monday after President Trump’s anti-transgender policies barred their transgender adolescent and adult children from accessing essential gender-affirming medical care.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, challenges the legality of the Trump administration’s decision to ban coverage of any transgender-related medical care under Department of Defense health insurance plans.

Under the new directive, military clinics and hospitals are prohibited from providing continuing care to transgender adolescent and adult children. It also prevents TRICARE, the military’s health insurance program, from covering the costs of gender-affirming care for both transgender youth and young adults, regardless of where that care is received.

A press release from the families’ attorney explained that the plaintiffs are proceeding under pseudonyms to protect their safety and privacy. They are represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, and Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP.

“This is a sweeping reversal of military health policy and a betrayal of military families who have sacrificed for our country,” said Sarah Austin, Staff Attorney at GLAD Law. “When a servicemember is deployed and focused on the mission they deserve to know their family is taken care of. This Administration has backtracked on that core promise and put servicemembers at risk of losing access to health care their children desperately need.”

“President Trump has illegally overstepped his authority by abruptly cutting off necessary medical care for military families,” said Shannon Minter, Legal Director at NCLR. “This lawless directive is part of a dangerous pattern of this administration ignoring legal requirements and abandoning our servicemembers.”

“President Trump’s Executive Order blocks military hospitals from giving transgender youth the care their doctors deem necessary and their parents have approved,” said Sharif Jacob, partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP. “Today we filed a lawsuit to put an end to his order, and the agency guidance implementing it.”

“This administration is unlawfully targeting military families by denying essential care to their transgender children,” said Liam Brown, an associate with Keker, Van Nest & Peters. “We will not stand by while those who serve are stripped of the ability to care for their families.”

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National

Supreme Court sides with transgender boy in bathroom access fight

Plaintiff challenging SC law

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A inclusive LGBTQ flag flies below the american flag at the entrance of the Supreme Court following the US vs Skrmetti case. (Blade Photo by Michael Key)

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a transgender boy may use the boy’s bathroom in a South Carolina public high school while pursuing a challenge to a state law that requires students to use the bathrooms corresponding to their sex assigned at birth.

The order, which was unsigned by any of the justices, did not provide reasons for the court’s decision, but made clear that it applied only to the one student in this case. The order specifically stated that it was “not a ruling on the merits of the legal issues presented in the litigation” and was instead “based on the standards applicable for obtaining emergency relief.”

It should be noted that Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., and Neil M. Gorsuch filed dissents to the order, though they did not provide any explanation for their opposition.

This is not the first time the highest court in the nation has addressed trans rights in the country.

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that federal law prohibits anti-trans discrimination in employment. Despite this significant victory for trans rights, in June the court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for trans minors in U.S. v. Skrmetti. That ruling, which suggested the court could be used to remove protections for trans people, has contributed to increased scrutiny and the reconsideration of previous rulings favorable to trans rights, placing broader LGBTQ protections at risk.

The recent order comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear two cases involving trans athletes and their rights to participate in sports under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. Advocates for trans rights have expressed concern that these upcoming cases could further challenge the legal landscape surrounding gender identity in schools and other public institutions.

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National

Trump to honor Charlie Kirk with Medal of Freedom

Anti-LGBTQ political activist assassinated in Utah on Wednesday

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Charlie Kirk moments before his assassination on Sept. 10, 2025. (Screenshot)

At a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon on Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he will award right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Kirk was assassinated less than 24 hours earlier at Utah Valley University while speaking on conservative talking points to a crowd.

The 31-year-old conservative commentator is best known for founding Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that sought to build a robust conservative youth movement. He earned notoriety for his unwavering loyalty to Trump, his advocacy of expansive Second Amendment rights, and his opposition to LGBTQ rights. Conservatives and far-right supporters have quickly elevated Kirk to martyr status since his death.

“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans feel at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump said. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”

As of now, there is no indication when the award ceremony will take place, although Trump said “I can only guarantee you one thing, that we will have a very big crowd.”

Many credit Kirk with helping Trump return to the White House in 2024 by mobilizing young voters — particularly young men — on behalf of the twice-impeached president.

Kirk’s stance against LGBTQ rights was a central part of his political brand.

A staunch opponent of Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court ruling requiring states to recognize same-sex marriage, Kirk often used incendiary rhetoric, at times calling for the erosion of LGBTQ rights altogether.

As host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” on the Salem Radio Network, he frequently denounced transgender participation in sports, referring to trans people and their supporters as “sick.” He also suggested they should be “taken care of like how things in the 1950s and 60s” were — an allusion many critics interpreted as a reference to lobotomies, shock therapy, and forced institutionalization.

Kirk often framed his views through the lens of “Christian values.”

On his YouTube channel, he invoked biblical passages, at one point citing Leviticus 20:13 to claim that the Bible’s call for the stoning of gay men reflected “God’s perfect law.”

The Washington Blade contacted several LGBTQ advocacy organizations for comment on Trump’s decision to posthumously honor Kirk, a man widely criticized for his hostility toward the LGBTQ community. Many focused instead on condemning the violence that ended his life.

“Political violence is unacceptable and has no place in this country,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in an emailed statement. “We cannot ever accept this epidemic of gun violence as normal. We cannot keep living like this.”

Kristen Browde, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, which has 21 chapters across the state, making it one of the largest LGBTQ caucuses in the nation, echoed those sentiments while pointing to the consequences of Kirk’s rhetoric.

“Political violence, for any reason, is wrong. Gun violence, for any reason, is wrong. Spending your life, inciting violence, demonizing political opponents? Attacking those who are different? Every bit as wrong. And when violence follows such actions? One can’t be shocked. All you can do is recommit yourself to fight against it.”

According to videos — and witnesses at Utah Valley University, Kirk was shot seconds after beginning to answer a question about how many”transgender” people were responsible for “mass shootings,” where he answered “too many.”

As of Thursday evening, Kirk’s killer remained at large. The FBI has identified a person of interest in its investigation and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

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Utah

Charlie Kirk shot to death at Utah university

Anti-LGBTQ figure asked about trans shooters moments earlier

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Charlie Kirk, center, at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10. (Screen capture via @MidnightMonaye/X)

Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political activist, outspoken anti-LGBTQ figure, and founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old was visiting the university’s Turning Point USA chapter and speaking to a large outdoor audience when he was struck in the neck by a single bullet fired from about 200 yards away. NBC reported that no suspect is in custody, despite university police previously indicating otherwise. President Trump announced Kirk’s death on social media.

Just moments before the shooting, an audience member asked Kirk, “How many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”

“Too many,” Kirk replied—seconds before being shot. Videos of the graphic incident have since gone viral online.

Kirk had long opposed LGBTQ rights and publicly opposed same-sex marriage. He frequently cited his “Christian values” as the basis for his positions, often quoting Leviticus 20:13 (“men lying with men… abomination”) as “God’s perfect law” on sexual matters.

He was also a prominent national voice in efforts to ban transgender healthcare, saying, “Donald Trump needs to run on this issue.” Kirk further proclaimed, “Pride is a sin,” and dismissed “gay corporations that hate America.”

On his YouTube show, he declared there are “only two genders” and described “transgenderism and gender ‘fluidity’ … lies that hurt people and abuse kids.” He also warned that LGBTQ efforts would not stop at marriage equality but instead aimed to “corrupt your children,” according to Media Matters for America.

Utah Valley University, established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School, is the state’s largest public university, with more than 46,000 students. It is located about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.

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National

Concerns for future emerge at U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS

‘I’m done being treated like shit in the country I grew up in’

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Members of the Host Committee gather at the stage of the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

More than 2,400 people, including public health experts, scientists, physicians, local government officials, and community activists, turned out for the 29th annual United States Conference on HIV/AIDS, which took place Sept. 4-7 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in D.C.  

Organized by the D.C.-based group NMAC, formerly known as the National Minority AIDS Council, the conference is considered the nation’s largest and most comprehensive gathering of experts involved in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S.

NMAC spokesperson Pavni Guharoy said NMAC officials will be completing a final count of the conference participants based on registration numbers later this week, but she said the current estimated attendance was at least 2,500.

The conference included more than 100 workshop sessions that focused on a wide range of issues related to the status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S., with a focus on the large and growing number of people living with HIV who are 50 years of age or older.

Information released at the conference shows that as of 2022, of the nearly 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S., approximately 54 percent were 50 years of age or older. 

Many of the sessions addressed the needs, concerns and sometimes stigma faced by diverse communities of people living with HIV and those at risk for HIV, including African American, Latinx, and LGBTQ communities, both those who are aging as well as young adults.

The conference also included four plenary sessions in which all conference attendees listened to two-dozen prominent keynote speakers. Among them was former U.S. National Institutes of Health official Dr. Anthony Fauci, who pointed out that continuing advances in HIV research have led to effective medical intervention that changed AIDS from a once fatal illness to a condition in which people with HIV can live “a normal life span.”

Other keynote speakers included Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, the acclaimed basketball player who became an advocate for people with HIV after testing positive for HIV 33 years ago, and Dr. Rachel Levine, who made history by becoming the first out transgender person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2021as an appointee by then-President Joe Biden as a U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health.

Also speaking was Jeanne White-Ginder, the mother of Ryan White, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 at the age of 13 from a blood transfusion. White-Ginder told conference attendees how Ryan faced discrimination when he was initially barred from going to his school in Indiana out of fear that he could transmit the virus to others at school.

Jeanne White-Ginder speaks at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

In a moving presentation, she told how Ryan became one of the nation’s early advocates for people with HIV/AIDS up until the time of his death in 1990, one month before his high school graduation. She said then-U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) invited her to come to Washington to help lobby for a bill Kennedy introduced and which Congress passed in her son’s honor called the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in August 1990.

“Now, today, thanks to your hard work and dedication, Ryan’s bill and your bill, too, provides treatment and support to more than half a million Americans in big cities, small towns and rural communities across the country,” she said. “It has dramatically reduced suffering. It has enabled people to live with HIV, to live long and healthy lives.” 

But White-Ginder joined the many conference speakers, including Magic Johnson, in calling on attendees and the public to urge Congress to reject the dramatic cuts in funding for federal AIDS programs, including the Ryan White program, proposed by President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders for the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget.

Among those calling on the AIDS community and allies to speak out against the proposed budget cuts were Paul Kawata, NMAC’s outgoing executive director and CEO, who is retiring Oct. 7, and Harold Phillips, the former director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy during the Biden administration and current NMAC Deputy Director for Programs who was chosen to succeed Kawata as NMAC CEO.

NMAC officials, led by members of its board of directors, praised Kawata for his 36 years of service as NMAC’s leader and his dedication to the cause of service and support for people with HIV and AIDS.

Kawata reflected on his work at NMAC and his concerns over the current political climate in Washington in a sometimes-emotional farewell address at one of the conference’s plenary sessions on Sept. 5.

“I’ll be honest with you. After 36 years the thought of leaving all of you is much more difficult than I thought it was going to be,” he told the gathering. “You are my family. You are the people that I love,” he said.

“You taught me how to be a better version of me. And I am so extraordinarily grateful for everything that you have given me,” he continued. “And you will always be a part of my heart.”

Pointing to members of the NMAC staff, both current and former members in the audience, Kawata said, “NMAC is NMAC because of what you do every single day with your life. You fight to make a difference in the world. And I am honored and privileged to call you my friends.”

Without mentioning the Trump administration by name, Kawata had harsh words for what he said was happening now in the United States and its impact on people living with HIV.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” he said. “I’m done being treated like shit in the country that I grew up in. I’m done being told that I’m a second-class citizen because of who I love,” he continued. “It’s not my America anymore. And I’m worried for our future.”

He added, “We always talk about the pendulum of justice, about the arc of justice. And I really want you to know in this moment, as difficult and as awful and how hellacious it is, we are on the right side of history. We are the ones who will change the world.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

In his remarks at the conference’s closing Sept. 7 plenary session, Fauci said, “We’re in very difficult times. You don’t need me to tell you that. But we’ve got to continue to put the pressure on what we did in the ‘80s with the activist groups, to make sure we do end the epidemic.”

He noted that he was at his job as director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases in the early 1980s, when the AIDS epidemic first surfaced and the AIDS patients he and his colleagues cared for, had little chance of survival.

“Fast forward now, 44 years, extraordinary things have happened,” Fauci said. “We now have drugs that you are all very aware of that can have an individual living with HIV live essentially a normal life span in putting under the care and the availability of drugs,” he continued.

“We know what U equals U – something that we didn’t imagine some years ago. That undetectable equals untransmissible,” he said, referring to the current HIV medication that suppresses the HIV virus to an undetectable level that prevents an infected person from transmitting it to someone else.

“And right now, with these drugs that we have for the prevention of HIV we have what we actually hoped for years ago – and that is to end the HIV epidemic,” he said.

Dr. Rachel Levine, who during the Biden administration served in the dual role as Assistant Secretary of Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as director of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, also spoke at the closing session of the conference.

She noted that she began her career as a pediatric physician in 1983 in New York City, at the time of the early stages of the AIDS epidemic. From that time through her years as Assistant Secretary of Health, Levine said she observed first-hand the skills and dedication of doctors, nurses, and others who cared for people with HIV/AIDS who she described as the HIV care workforce.

Dr. Rachel Levine speaks at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

“The HIV care workforce since that time has been incredibly dedicated, with many people working for decades,” she said. “And working to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world. We applaud you. You are in this room. We applaud you arduously for your dedication and for your passion.”

Levine also noted that the cuts in funding and large-scale federal worker layoffs brought about by the Trump administration have had a direct impact on the HIV care workforce.

“Many dedicated public health leaders, including most of the HIV and infectious disease team who I worked with in my office at HHS have had their positions eliminated,” she said. “These hard-working civil servants went to work every single day to support the health and wellbeing of all Americans, including those living with HIV.”

She added, “And we know that there are shortages in HIV care. And it is so critical at this challenging time that we support you, the HIV care workforce.”

Many conference attendees said Magic Johnson played a leading role in boosting morale and spirit at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS by his inspirational speech at the Sept. 5 plenary session.

Upon receiving a prolonged, standing ovation after being  introduced as the next speaker, Johnson said, “When I think about 33 years living with HIV in a moment that changed my life forever. And what a blessing to be here 33 years later to tell that story at a time when there was only one drug.”

Johnson added, “Wow, and they said it probably is a death sentence for myself, and I had to wrap my arms around making the toughest decision I probably had to make in my life, which was to retire from the NBA.”

Among other things, Johnson said his doctors told him that while he was physically capable of continuing to play basketball, the stress of an 80-game season could impact his immune system and lower his T-cell count.  

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson speaks at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

With the support of family, friends, and his community, Johnson said he miraculously survived the early days without a known fully effective HIV drug. And at the request of community activists, he agreed to speak out as a well-known figure and a person with HIV to inform “my community,” especially people of color, he said, about how to live with HIV and how uninfected people can lower their risk.

“But what I do, I adhere to my doctor. I take my meds. I work out, and then I love life and myself,” he said. 

In response to the challenge facing people with HIV under the current political situation, Johnson said, “We got to pull ourselves together and continue this fight, because it’s important and we got to keep this at the forefront. Now, HIV and AIDS kind of slipped back. We got to bring it back up.”

Among other things, he said the nonprofit foundation he helped to form has “given away over $15 million” in grants to HIV/AIDS organizations. “And we will continue to do that because of the work you are doing.”

He received another thunderous applause and standing ovation upon the completion of his speech.

Phillips, who will succeed Kawata as NMAC’s CEO on Oct. 7, told the Washington Blade he believes this year’s U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS was “extraordinary” under difficult circumstances.

NMAC CEO Harold Phillips speaks at the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

“I think so, because this year we did this without a lot of federal support,” he said. “And many of the attendees – the federal government, HRSA, the Ryan White program told them they couldn’t use their grant funds to attend the conference, which was a shame.”

Phillips added, “But I think with a crowd of over 2,400, some people found a way to be here regardless and thought that it was important, and the topic was important enough. And I think our listening sessions, our workshops, our plenaries hopefully gave them what they needed to continue to be activated to serve people living with HIV. “

“And also gave them a sense of hope, especially in these dark times that we can continue to work to end the HIV epidemic,” he said.  

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West Hollywood

Holloway Kitchen: Turning West Hollywood’s former IHOP into a hub for queer resilience and opportunity

Holloway Kitchen turns a vacant West Hollywood IHOP into a training hub for unhoused, queer, and immigrant residents, providing skills, jobs, housing support, and a voice in shaping systems that have long failed them.

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Holloway Kitchen

Homelessness in Los Angeles is not the result of personal failure. It is a predictable outcome of systemic inequities that push people to the margins while wealth and power concentrate elsewhere. Queer and immigrant communities often carry the heaviest burden. West Hollywood, long a site of queer resistance and organizing, now faces that crisis at its doorstep.

A new initiative, Holloway Kitchen, aims to respond. Proposed by Holloway Housing, the project would transform the long-vacant IHOP at 8461 Santa Monica Boulevard into more than a restaurant. It is designed as a community hub where food becomes a vehicle for structural change—offering training, jobs, and support to unhoused residents in West Hollywood.

“Holloway Kitchen is about dignity and empowerment,” said Jerry Soper III, founder of the project. “We are not just opening a restaurant; we’re creating pathways for people to build stability while being part of a community.”

The project is intended to work with residents of the nearby Holloway Interim Housing Program, managed by Ascencia, providing culinary and hospitality training through a proposed 12-week program. Graduates could secure jobs at Holloway Kitchen itself or with local partners such as SUR Restaurant, The Abbey Food & Bar, Mother Wolf, and the Hollywood Food Coalition.

Central to the vision is a commitment to those who face the steepest barriers. “LGBTQ+ youth face a 120% higher risk of homelessness,” Soper explained. “In Los Angeles, transgender individuals make up a significant portion of unsheltered populations. Holloway Kitchen aims to address these barriers with tailored support, flexible schedules for transition-related needs, and advocacy for queer youth facing housing discrimination.”

The restaurant itself would embody that same commitment to safety and affirmation. Plans include gender-neutral restrooms, a zero-tolerance harassment policy, and comprehensive LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for staff, in partnership with The Trevor Project and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “We want every person who walks into Holloway Kitchen—whether as a trainee, employee, or customer—to feel affirmed and welcome,” Soper said.

Equally important, unhoused people will have a voice in shaping the project. Soper has convened an advisory board of Holloway House residents and alumni, including queer youth, immigrants, and trans women, to guide decisions on training, housing partnerships, and workplace culture.

Holloway Kitchen also seeks to honor West Hollywood’s legacy of queer organizing. “This project is inspired by the AIDS crisis response, when the community rallied to provide care, advocacy, and support,” Soper explained. Planned educational displays and events will highlight queer pioneers and the city’s history of resilience, blending historical reverence with forward-looking innovation.

The project is currently seeking $825,000–$1,075,000 in startup funding for renovations, staffing, and equipment, with a goal of opening in 2026. While the vision is ambitious, the City of West Hollywood underscored that it remains in the proposal stage. “The proposer has not, to date, been connected to the City, its service providers, or the property owner regarding this idea, and establishing these connections is a necessary prerequisite to consideration,” said Joshua Schare, City spokesperson. “We welcome the proposer to reach out to the City’s Human Services Division to discuss it further.”

Soper envisions the impact for participants: “In a year, a young queer person who comes to us with no job and no home could be thriving with stable employment, safe housing, and a support network. They would feel empowered to give back, becoming part of West Hollywood’s legacy of resilience.”

If successful, Holloway Kitchen could become a replicable model for addressing homelessness at the intersections of queerness, poverty, and immigration—providing a community-driven path toward opportunity where systems have historically failed. For now, it stands as a proposed initiative that seeks to reclaim power, restore dignity, and prove that survival is possible through solidarity and hope.

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National

House GOP seeks to cut all U.S. HIV prevention programs in 2026

‘A disastrous bill that will reignite HIV in the United States’

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President Trump’s own Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative is on the GOP chopping block. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has released its Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill that calls for cutting funds for domestic HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs by at least $1.7 billion, which is an amount significantly greater than the AIDS budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.

Among other things, the bill, if passed by the full Congress, would eliminate federal funding for all HIV prevention programs in the U.S. as well as eliminate the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative program that Trump persuaded Congress to pass during his first term as president.

“This is not a bill for making America healthy again, but a disastrous bill that will reignite HIV in the United States,” said Carl Schmidt, executive director of the D.C. based HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, in a Sept. 1 statement.

“We urge Congress to reject these reckless cuts,” Schmidt says in the statement.  “Eliminating all HIV prevention means the end of state and local testing and surveillance programs, educational programs, and linkage to lifesaving care and treatment, along with PrEP,” the statement continues. “It will translate into an increased number of new HIV infections, which will be costlier to treat in the long run.”

It adds, “At a time when we have the tools to prevent HIV, including new long-acting forms of PrEP, we must not abandon the bipartisan progress our nation has made in combating HIV.”

The proposed bill by the House Appropriations Committee, which has not yet taken a full committee vote on the bill, would also cut the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Program by $525 million or 20 percent.

The bill would eliminate the entire $1 billion in prevention funding at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including $220 million allocated to President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative.

Schmidt points out that nearly 90 percent of this funding “flows to state and local health departments, including those in the South that do not have dedicated state funding and carry over half of HIV cases in the country.”

The House committee proposal supports the president’s budget proposal to eliminate $43 million in dedicated funding for hepatitis prevention at the CDC and instead proposes a $353 million block grant to states that would also include STD and tuberculosis prevention. This is $53 million more than the president proposed but still represents a combined cut of $24 million, Schmidt says in his statement.

“Instead of decreasing and diluting funding for hepatitis, if the country is serious about addressing chronic health conditions,” added Schmid, “we should be increasing funding so that people with hepatitis can be identified through testing and linked to treatment, and in the case of hepatitis C, a cure.”

The proposal by the House Appropriations Committees follows the U.S. Senate’s release earlier this year of a bipartisan FY 2026 budget bill that would maintain current funding for domestic HIV programs. If the House committee passes its proposed budget bill the budget provisions would have to be reconciled with the Senate version, and a reconciled version must then be passed by the full Congress. 

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National

Doctor who led mpox response resigns from CDC, slams administration

‘Unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end’

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Dr. Demetre Daskalakis (Screen capture via Zoom)

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, resigned from his position on Wednesday in a scathing social media post.

“I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.” Daskalakis wrote in a resignation letter he posted to X. “Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.”

Daskalakis, who’s gay, was among three senior officials to resign following President Trump’s firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. She is fighting her dismissal. 

In 2022, Daskalakis drew praise from the LGBTQ community while serving as White House National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator. Daskalakis previously served as medical director for the New York-headquartered Mount Sinai Health System and then was made deputy commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In late 2020, as the U.S. saw thousands of new covid fatalities each day, Daskalakis joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

In an exclusive interview with the Blade during the mpox crisis in 2022, he warned of the dangers of homophobic stigma. 

“Stigma is stigma, and homophobia is homophobia,” Daskalakis said, and while these problems are older, more intractable, and broader in scope than public health messaging around MPV, it is important to not “attach an infection to an identity.” 

“Stigmatizing a disease and creating stigma really creates rabbit holes that take people away from [figuring out] how to respond to an infectious disease — and the way that you respond to infectious diseases, the focus on community, the focus on knowledge, and the focus on data, which should act as a guidance” in getting messages to people, whether through online social platforms or other channels, he said.  

Dr. Monarez, who only served in her job for one month, said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives” and accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “weaponizing public health.”

Dr. Monarez reportedly clashed with Kennedy over vaccines. The government announced earlier this week that healthy adults would not be eligible for a new COVID booster and instead only those 65 and older, children, and those with underlying medical conditions would be eligible for the new vaccine.

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Palm Springs

Be Heard: Palm Springs Pride moves forward in 2025, celebrating resilience and resistance

Despite a $325K sponsorship shortfall, Palm Springs Pride presses on, celebrating LGBTQ+ resilience, community power, and the enduring spirit of resistance.

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Palm Springs Pride

Despite facing a $325,000 shortfall in sponsorship funding, Greater Palm Springs Pride is pressing forward with its annual four-day celebration, which draws more than 200,000 attendees and generates millions in local economic impact.

“In our specific case, 60% of our shortfall is from one sponsor in Florida where the governor has directed a pullback from supporting DEI or related programs. The other 40% is a sign of economic times,” said Ron deHarte, President of Palm Springs Pride. “Partners who have and continue to support Palm Springs Pride are experiencing tighter budgets… we are confident good partners will continue their investment in our programming.”

The funding gap underscores how critical LGBTQ+ organizations are to their communities. DeHarte noted that these groups provide services ranging from crisis intervention for homeless youth to HIV/AIDS prevention, legal aid, and safe spaces. “When funding is cut or becomes unreliable, these vital services are put at risk. This not only undermines the organizations themselves but also directly impacts the well-being and safety of the individuals they serve. This financial pressure can be seen as a modern tactic of marginalization,” he said.

But this challenge is part of a much longer history of resilience for the LGBTQ+ community. “The history of Pride is fundamentally a story of resistance. From the Stonewall Uprising’s response to police harassment and brutality, the LGBTQ+ community has always had to fight for its right to exist openly and without fear… the collective pushback against legal, social, and political forces that have sought to push LGBTQ+ people to the margins defines what the LGBTQ+ movement has represented for the last 50 years,” deHarte said.

For deHarte, the shortfall is also a testament to the LGBTQ+ community’s ingenuity and self-reliance. “We are not victims. The LGBTQ+ community has a long history of fighting for its rights… The decision to proceed with Palm Springs Pride, even with fewer resources, is a testament to this spirit of self-reliance and strength. We have fought for everything we have. The rights and freedoms celebrated at Pride were not given freely; they were earned through decades of activism, advocacy, and sacrifice,” he explained.

“We do what needs to be done with the resources available. This year’s event will highlight the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the LGBTQ+ community. When faced with a lack of corporate sponsorships, grassroots support and community donations will fill the void. This underscores the idea that the community’s power comes from within, not from external validation or funding. We do more with less,” deHarte said.

Even with fewer resources, organizers say the festival will remain bold, inclusive, and unapologetically political. “It is vital that we stand together and show the world that our community is strong and our fight for equality continues. This year, more than ever, Palm Springs Pride will be a vibrant and political statement and a call to action that will not be quieted,” he added.

From its roots in grassroots protest to today’s massive celebration, Palm Springs Pride demonstrates the power of community, the resilience of a movement, and the enduring spirit of resistance — proving that Pride is not just a party, but a declaration: the fight for equality continues, and the LGBTQ+ community will not be silenced.

Those who want to support the festival can make a contribution online or participate in events like the Equality Walk, though attendance remains free to all.

You’ve linked the shortfall to the current political climate. When we look at the far-right media pipeline, it feels like they’re creating a lot of noise — but does that reflect reality on the ground?

 In our specific case, and we point out every Pride organization is unique, 60% of our shortfall is from one sponsor in Florida where the governor has directed a pullback from supporting DEI or related programs. The other 40% is a sign of economic times. Partners who have and continue to support Palm Springs Pride are experiencing tighter budgets. They have been supportive in the past, are continuing to be supportive today. We are confident good partners will continue their investment in our programming.

Corporations seem to react quickly to that noise, often pulling back support out of fear. Do you see that as a reflection of real public opinion, or more about how power operates in boardrooms and newsrooms?

We have heard of this happening with some very large Pride organizations across the country. But when you step back and look at the 450-500 Pride events in the United States, a very small percentage of those events have experienced the corporate retreat you mention.

Pride was born as resistance to systems of power that wanted us silent. How do you see this year’s funding shortfall fitting into that longer history of LGBTQ+ people being pushed to the margins? Has the resistance ever changed? 

The history of Pride is fundamentally a story of resistance. From the Stonewall Uprising’s response to police harassment and brutality, the LGBTQ+ community has always had to fight for its right to exist openly and without fear. The root of the struggle has been about individual rights; however,  the collective pushback against legal, social, and political forces that have sought to push LGBTQ+ people to the margins defines what the LGBTQ+ movement has represented for the last 50 years.

In this context, the recent funding shortfall for LGBTQ+ organizations is a deeply concerning development that fits into this long history of marginalization. It is a modern form of the same pressure that has historically been used to silence and undermine the community.

The struggle for equality continues. Funding shortfalls for LGBTQ+ organizations represents a new front in this ongoing battle. These organizations are critical, providing a range of essential services for crisis intervention for homeless youth, healthcare access and HIV/AIDS prevention, legal aid for discrimination cases and community centers that provide safe spaces. When funding is cut or becomes unreliable, these vital services are put at risk. This not only undermines the organizations themselves but also directly impacts the well-being and safety of the individuals they serve. This financial pressure can be seen as a modern tactic of marginalization, as it seeks to weaken the infrastructure that the LGBTQ+ community relies on to advocate for its rights and support its members.

The funding shortfall is not just a financial issue; it’s an issue of social justice. It highlights the continued need for vigilance and support to ensure that the progress made by the LGBTQ+ community is not rolled back.

Corporate sponsorship often comes with strings attached and can vanish in the face of political pressure. What does it take to build support that is unshakeable, rooted in actual community power rather than optics? 

What sponsorship support comes with no strings attached or no risk of future investment? Grants have deliverables and restrictions, city government funding is dependent on political support, businesses want logo exposure / tickets/ recognition, and now federal grants require removal of any transgender language. One would think individuals would freely donate to their local Pride but many view Pride as a party. It would be great for individual donors to replace the funds currently provided by large money sponsors. While many Pride events are free to attend, implementing small fees for certain aspects can generate significant revenue. Tickets for specific concerts, reserved seating for the parade, or fundraisers throughout the year are also ways to shift the funding model. These are all opportunities. We need to do a better job letting the community know how they can support.

Is it fair to say that relying on corporations has sometimes weakened Pride’s political edge? How do you balance funding needs with staying true to a movement built on resistance?

In our case we have never tempered the political nature of Pride in Palm Springs. However, we have experienced parade participants pulling out because they feel the parade is too political.

What role do you see for small businesses, local organizers, and everyday community members in sustaining Pride, especially when big sponsors pull out?

For free Pride events like Palm Springs Pride, attendees can help by donating $10 bucks (or more) online in place of buying a ticket. Many small businesses who are able already support Pride. However, there are many others who benefit from the economic impact a Pride event has in the community who choose not to provide support. Our message is that we welcome everyone, we are a free event and donations are appreciated to cover expenses. 

Systems of power that target queer people are also targeting immigrants, BIPOC communities, and other marginalized groups. How do you see Pride standing in solidarity across those struggles?

We are immigrants. We are the BIPOC community. While Palm Springs is widely known as a welcoming and inclusive city for the LGBTQ+ community, groups within the community face additional layers of marginalization. These groups often experience unique challenges due to the intersection of their LGBTQ+ identity with other identities, such as race, age, and disability. We are one and must ensure TGI individuals, LGBTQ+ people of color, youth, older adults and individuals with disabilities are at the table. 

Are there lessons from mutual aid and grassroots organizing that could reshape how Pride operates — making it more of a real support network, not just a festival?

Yes, the origin of Pride is in grassroots organizing and protest. While the modern landscape includes celebratory elements and corporate involvement, look behind the curtain, and one will see its core purpose remains a powerful blend of community building, activism, and providing a crucial support network for LGBTQ+ people. That’s grassroots in 2025. In Palm Springs, it is, and always has been, more than just a party. Pride is fundamentally a real and vital support network for the LGBTQ+ community.

At a grassroots level, Pride provides a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to be their authentic selves without fear of shame or stigma. This visibility is powerful, especially for those who may feel isolated in their daily lives. Pride events, and the organizations behind them, connect people with a “chosen family” and a sense of belonging. Pride continues to be a call to action. It raises awareness about ongoing struggles for equality and rights, and it is a powerful opportunity for protest and political mobilization.

Looking back at the history of Pride as a movement born from resistance, does this funding crisis feel like an opportunity to recenter the movement on community accountability, activism, and care networks rather than corporate sponsorship?

This is certainly a time to ensure our platform reignites the Pride experience to demand rights, protest injustice, and raise awareness about ongoing struggles of the community. The current funding crisis, while difficult, presents a chance to fortify the movement from the ground up, ensuring it remains a powerful force for advocacy and community care, rather than a perceived corporate-sponsored spectacle. It is vital that we stand together and show the world that our community is strong and our fight for equality continues. This year, more than ever, Palm Springs Pride will be a vibrant and political statement and a call to action that will not be quieted.

What would you say to those watching from outside the LGBTQ+ community? What message does Palm Springs Pride send by moving forward this year despite these setbacks? 

To those watching from outside the LGBTQ+ community, Palm Springs Pride sends a powerful and unwavering message. It is a message of resilience, determination, and a refusal to be silenced. By moving forward this year despite recent funding shortfall due to a challenging political climate, Palm Springs Pride is showing our commitment is not conditional on easy circumstances. We are demonstrating that Pride is more than a party; it is a fundamental act of visible existence, a celebration of hard-won rights, and a continued protest against injustice.

We are not victims. The LGBTQ+ community has a long history of fighting for its rights. From daily struggles for equality, the community has always had to create our own path forward. The decision to proceed with Palm Springs Pride, even with fewer resources, is a testament to this spirit of self-reliance and strength. We have fought for everything we have. The rights and freedoms celebrated at Pride were not given freely; they were earned through decades of activism, advocacy, and sacrifice. This year’s events serve as a reminder of this ongoing struggle and honors the pioneers who paved the way.

We do what needs to be done with the resources available. This year’s event will highlight the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the LGBTQ+ community. When faced with a lack of corporate sponsorships, grassroots support and community donations will fill the void. This underscores the idea that the community’s power comes from within, not from external validation or funding. We do more with less. The ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity is a defining characteristic of the LGBTQ+ community. Palm Springs Pride’s continued existence despite a budget reduction shows that the core message and purpose of the event are not dependent on a lavish production. The focus remains on community, activism, and a powerful, visible presence.

Palm Springs Pride Celebration 2025 / Thur Nov 6 through Sun Nov 9 FREE ADMISSION

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