A nationwide coalition of organizations serving domestic violence survivors in 14 states and the District of Columbia recently notched another victory in its lawsuit to block the Trump administration from cutting off federal funding to groups that value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI.)
A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday granted a preliminary injunction against the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), halting grant policies directing grantee organizations to eliminate all DEI initiatives in their work or risk losing funding.
U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose’s ruling favored the plaintiffs in a lawsuit led by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence that included five other Rhode Island-based nonprofits. The plaintiffs had argued the new funding terms would imperil women and transgender youth experiencing homelessness and other populations their organizations serve.
In court filings, attorneys for both federal agencies countered that the organizations’ only harm from the grant restrictions was financial in nature and therefore should be addressed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
In a joint statement, the plaintiffs said DuBose’s decision “ensures that vital programs grounded in equity and compassion can continue uninterrupted.”
“Domestic and sexual violence survivors, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused individuals deserve dignity and access to support without restrictions — it’s a relief and a win that gives us breathing room to continue this vital work,” the groups said.
The other five Rhode Island organizations listed in the lawsuit include House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Community Care Alliance, Foster Forward, the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, and Haus of Codec.
The HHS grant policy, updated in April, prescribes that grantees “do not, and will not during the term of this financial assistance award, operate any programs that advance or promote DEI, DEIA, or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws.” Such language was stripped from the agency’s grant policy ahead of a July 24 hearing where DuBose temporarily granted relief to the housing and domestic violence relief groups.
HUD grant eligibility documentation online still notes the Trump administration’s goal of “ending radical and wasteful Government DEI programs and preferencing.”
DuBose, a Biden appointee, said the terms imposed by HHS and HUD were “likely unconstitutionally vague” because the agencies “do not clearly identify and define the contours of what is prohibited” when applying for grant funding.
“The phrases ‘promote gender ideology’ and ‘promote elective abortion’ obscure meaning like Russian dolls stacked inside each other,” DuBose wrote. “The plaintiffs stand between a rock and a hard place, and surely such a high-stakes dilemma constitutes irreparable harm in the eyes of this court.”
DuBose added that the agencies failed to provide any explanation for the new rules or consider how they would affect vulnerable populations.
“To date, the defendants have failed to achieve even this basic requirement,” she wrote.
DuBose’s injunction orders HHS and HUD to treat their conditions as “null and void” and inform employees of the court’s order within two business days.
The phrases ‘promote gender ideology’ and ‘promote elective abortion’ obscure meaning like Russian dolls stacked inside each other. The plaintiffs stand between a rock and a hard place, and surely such a high-stakes dilemma constitutes irreparable harm in the eyes of this court.
An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rhode Island Current received an automated response after making an inquiry to HUD stating its public affairs office was “operating in a limited capacity” since the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1.
“Once the government is reopened, we look forward to being back in touch,” the email states.
The Rhode Island groups were joined by domestic violence prevention organizations in the District of Columbia and the following states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
