As states and the Trump administration ramp up attacks against the LGBTQ+ community, Lambda Legal’s Help Desk has fielded more inquiries in the first half of this year than all of 2024.
As Pride Month closes, Lambda Legal is sounding the alarm about the intensifying wave of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks sweeping the nation. As of June, Lambda Legal’s Help Desk had already received more than 4,300 requests for assistance—surpassing the total number of inquiries received in all of 2024.
“This is not a coincidence—it’s a crisis,” said Help Desk Director Huong Lam. “Requests are pouring in from LGBTQ+ people facing discrimination in healthcare, employment, housing, and other essential areas of life—with the most urgent needs coming from the trans and nonbinary community. The sheer volume and complexity of the requests we’re receiving show just how deeply these attacks are affecting people’s daily lives—and how vital it is that they know they’re not alone.”
Lambda Legal has filed six lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including bans on military participation, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and identity document access.
The staggering increase reflects a disturbing trend of nationwide assaults on LGBTQ+ rights.
Key Data Includes:
- The number of requests in the first two months of Trump 2.0 nearly quadrupled the number filed in the first two months of 2024, and comprised almost half of the total inquiries to date. During those months, the Trump administration introduced several anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans executive orders, such as the military ban and blocking access to gender-affirming care for minors.
- States with the highest number of requests are California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Washington, and the greatest increase in the rate of requests compared to last year included Minnesota, Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Utah.
- An overwhelming number of requests, nearly 8 in 10, representing 79% of Help Desk inquiries related to legal concerns or discrimination based on gender identity—underscoring the relentless attacks transgender and nonbinary people are facing across the country. This number represents a 35-point increase from last year’s 44%.
- Under gender identity, the top concerns were related to issues regarding identity documents (with more than 1,750 requests), discrimination at the workplace, participation in the military, as well as public accommodations (such as access to health care, buildings, public services, and other governmental programs).
- The other top two concerns are related to issues around sexual orientation (18%) and HIV (3%).
- The majority of the requests related to sexual orientation were linked to discrimination or other issues at the workplace, harassment or violence, immigration concerns, protecting family relationships, as well as housing and school issues.
- The majority of the requests related to HIV concerns involved discrimination at the workplace or health care settings, as well as issues related to insurance and confidentiality.
- The majority of the requests related to sexual orientation were linked to discrimination or other issues at the workplace, harassment or violence, immigration concerns, protecting family relationships, as well as housing and school issues.
- The majority of the requests related to HIV concerns involved discrimination at the workplace or health care settings, as well as issues related to insurance and confidentiality.
The Top Concerns Raised by Community Members Include:
- Access to identity documents such as accurate birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and passports aligned with their gender identity.
- Participation in the U.S. Military after Trump’s executive order banning trans people from serving in or enlisting in the military.
- Access to public accommodations and health care services after bans on gender-affirming health care.
- Discrimination in the workplace, schools, hospitals, and public services.
- Targeted harassment and/or violence against transgender youth and families, LGBTQ people, as well as people living with HIV.
- Immigration-related issues for transgender and LGBTQ+ people, particularly those facing heightened risk due to identity based persecution.
“Our communities are under attack—from legislatures to courtrooms to classrooms—fueled by the Trump administration’s hateful agenda against LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans and nonbinary people,” said Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings. “But we will not back down. Every Help Desk inquiry is a call to action—a reflection of fear, injustice, and the urgent need for resistance. That’s why we’re moving forward united, fearless, and unstoppable in our fight to protect our community—by expanding our legal team, mobilizing supporters, and challenging discrimination in courts.”
For decades, Lambda Legal’s Help Desk has connected thousands of people with legal resources and LGBTQ-affirming attorneys in their own communities who provide direct services. A number of inquiries with the potential to impact the broader community have led to landmark litigation advancing LGBTQ+ and HIV-related rights.
Lambda Legal urges LGBTQ+ people, allies, and legal advocates to stay informed, stay vocal, and support the fight for equality through litigation, education, and public resistance.
Lambda Legal’s Help Desk can be reached via its web portal: www.lambdalegal.org/helpdesk