LGBTQ+ Advocacy Resource Hub

Last Updated: May 23, 2025

Disclaimer: This document is intended for educational, civic, and advocacy purposes. Nothing on this website is intended or should be taken as legal advice. Even if it sounds like legal advice, it is not legal advice for your particular situation because every situation is different. If you need legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.

From the first days of the second Trump administration, LGBTQ+ people’s rights have been under attack. The Trump administration has taken specific aim at transgender, non-binary, and intersex people, who have faced unjust attacks in all facets of everyday life, including being denied access to life-saving health care. The same politicians and activists banning books and abortion are targeting anyone and anything that does not follow their archaic, rigid ideology.  

But wherever and whenever governments have tried to enforce rules around gender, there have been people like us defying them. Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution and D.C. Law. Understanding your rights and preparing for potential changes to the law are critical steps toward protecting yourself and your community.  

Attacks from the Trump Administration 

The LBGTQ+ community has had to deal with one attack after another from the Trump administration since Inauguration Day, mainly through the signing of Executive Orders. President Trump signed far-reaching Executive Orders requiring federal agencies to discriminate against transgender people by reinstating sex-based discrimination, placing restrictions on federal gender markers, and banning gender-affirming health care.  

As a reminder, Executive Orders cannot override the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and established legal precedent. Understanding Executive Orders, how they are implemented, what agencies they impact, and how they legally operate is crucial to navigating and challenging attacks. Executive Orders only apply to the federal government’s executive branch. 

The Path Forward: Preparation and the Freedom to Be 

Legal organizations, mutual aid groups, and advocacy networks are more active than ever, offering resources to support LGBTQ+ people in navigating attacks on their personhood and rights. Key strategies include building a family emergency plan, connecting with allies, and staying informed about legal developments. Allies can work to understand the importance of this moment and its impact on real people, their families, and friends. 

Together, we can confront these attacks. We all deserve the freedom to decide what's right for our lives and the freedom to be loved, safe, and trusted with decisions about our health care. Ultimately, we all deserve the freedom to be.  

Blog: What Trans and Nonbinary Joy Looks Like in D.C.: Four Families on Love, Identity, and the Freedom To Be 

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 SMYAL, an organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth, to highlight local trans and nonbinary kids and their families. Transgender and nonbinary people have always been here and are not going anywhere — no matter what President Trump says. 

Your Rights in D.C.

In D.C., people are protected by a local law called the D.C. Human Rights Act. This law is one of the most potent tools available to challenge discrimination. Everyone who lives in, visits, and works in D.C. deserves to be protected from discrimination and unfair treatment, including transgender, non-binary, and intersex people.

Here are all the protected traits that cannot be discriminated against under the D.C. Human Rights Act.

Protected Trait 

Definition 

Areas of Enforcement 

Age

18 years of age or older

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Color

Skin pigmentation, including variations in skin pigmentation

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Credit Information

Any communication of information bearing on creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, credit score, or credit history

Employment

Disability

A physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Family Responsibilities

Supporting a legal dependent or blood relative, including children, grandchildren, and parents

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Familial Status

Pregnant individual or caregiver of children under 18

Educational institutions, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Gender Identity & Expression

Gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior, regardless of assigned sex at birth

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Genetic Information

DNA, genetic predisposition, family history, or test results indicating disease risk

Employment, and public accommodation and government services

Homeless Status

Lacking or about to lose a regular nighttime residence, including escaping unsafe environments

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Marital Status

Married, single, divorced, widowed, domestic partnership, or conditions like pregnancy or parenthood

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Matriculation

Enrollment in a college, university, secondary, or vocational program

Employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

National Origin

State, country, or nation of origin of an individual or their ancestors

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Personal Appearance

Outward appearance including hair, tattoos, body size, piercings, subject to business standards

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Place of Residence or Business

Geographical location of home or work

Housing, and public accommodation and government services

Political Affiliation

Belonging to or endorsing any political party

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Race

Classification based on ancestry, ethnicity, or physical traits

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Religion

Beliefs or practices related to a supernatural force or secular faiths

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Sealed Eviction Record

Eviction record sealed by the Superior Court of D.C.

Housing

Sex

Biologically male, female, or intersex, including related medical or reproductive decisions

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Sexual Orientation

Romantic and/or sexual attraction, including identities like aromantic or polyamorous

Educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Source of Income

Origin of finances, including Section 8, SSI, alimony, or disability benefits

Educational institutions, housing, and public accommodation and government services

Status as a Victim or Family Member of DVSOS

Victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking

Employment

Status as a Victim of an Intrafamily Offense

Victim or household member affected by domestic violence, assault, or animal cruelty

Housing

Note: Executive orders don't override local or federal laws.  

The Office of Human Rights and the Commission on Human Rights Rules state, "It shall be unlawful for any person or entity, including agencies of the District of Columbia government and its contractors, to discriminate against a person in employment, housing, public accommodations, or educational institutions on the basis of that person's actual or perceived gender identity or expression.” Link 

Your D.C. Rights in Public

  • In most settings, you can use the bathroom that aligns with your gender identity. 
    • What restrictions are in place regarding restroom use on capitol grounds? In January 2025, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson implemented a new rule that restricts restroom and changing room use in buildings controlled by the House of Representatives to "individuals of that biological sex." This rule only affects parts of the Capitol assigned to the use of the House, such as Cannon House Office Building, Longworth House Office Building, and O'Neill House Office Building. The rule is supposed to be enforced by the Sergeant-at-Arms, the officer responsible for maintaining order on the House side of the Capitol complex; however, it is unclear how they would go about enforcing this rule. The announcement notes that each Member office has its own private restroom and that unisex restrooms are available to the public. Each House office building has one unisex restroom, as indicated on this visitor resource map. Link 
  • D.C. law requires that single-occupancy bathrooms must be gender-neutral. 
  • You can dress in clothes consistent with your gender identity. 
  • You cannot be denied services – including from first responders such as the Fire Department and EMS – because of your gender or sexuality. 

D.C. Requirements in Public Accommodations – Gender Identity and Expression Fact Sheet: a fact sheet outlining what D.C. requires for access to restrooms or other gender-specific facilities in the District of Columbia. Link  

Your D.C. Employee Rights

  • If your job has a gender-segregated uniform, you may wear the uniform consistent with your gender identity. 
  • A job can't refuse to hire or promote you based on your gender identity. 
  • If you need time off for trans-related medical care, your job must reasonably accommodate you. 
  • All employers in the District of Columbia must follow the D.C. Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment and public accommodations based on a number of protected characteristics for people who live in, visit, or work in D.C. 
  • Employers with 15 or more employees are also prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act from discriminating on the basis of sex. Some courts have ruled that Title VII also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Your D.C. Rights when Interacting with Housing Providers

  • Service providers cannot deny you access to facilities based on your gender identity. 
  • Landlords can't refuse to rent to you based on your gender identity. 
  • The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits sex discrimination by most landlords, and, as the Supreme Court held in 2020 (Bostock v. Clayton County), discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is sex discrimination. Thus, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Housing discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, or people perceived to have HIV/AIDS, is also illegal under the Fair Housing Act's protections against disability discrimination. Housing providers that receive funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or have loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), as well as lenders insured by FHA, are subject to HUD's Equal Access Rule, which bans discrimination in HUD programs on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Your D.C. Protections from Harassment

  • District Requirements in Public Accommodations - Gender Identity and Expression: Trans and gender non-conforming people in D.C. are protected under the law from discrimination in housing, employment, education, and public spaces. That includes the right to access gender-specific facilities like restrooms and locker rooms without fear or barriers. These protections are part of the D.C. Human Rights Act, which ensures everyone can live, work, and exist in public with dignity. Link 
  • "Outing" someone as trans without their consent can constitute evidence of harassment. So can asking invasive questions about a person's body. These types of actions can give rise to liability based on their frequency, severity, and other related considerations. 

Resources: 

  • ACLU – Know Your LGBTQ+ Rights with Chase Strangio: a podcast episode exploring how President Trump’s executive orders have already impacted access to gender-affirming care, passports, and beyond. Link 
  • ACLU – Know Your Rights – Talking to People About Their Rights: a resource on how to share truthful, lawfully obtained information about law enforcement and tell people about their legal rights. Link 
  • GLBTQ Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Law Answers: a hub for LGBTQ+ resources on family protections, marriage and relationship protections, health care access, and identity documents. Link 

Your D.C. Rights in Health Care Settings

LGBTQ+ people should have meaningful and comprehensive access to care without burdensome and unnecessary preconditions or limitations on the types of care provided. 

  • D.C. Health Transgender Resource Guide – D.C., Maryland, & Virginia: an informational guide on where to seek trans-friendly and/or culturally friendly services related to health care, behavioral health, and related topics. Link 
  • Metro DC PFLAG Resources Guide: an inclusive guide to online resources in the D.C. Area and on health care resources. Link 
  • Whitman-Walker Community Resources and Guides: an informational guide on resources for services for those in the LGBTQ+ community. Link 

Your D.C. Rights in Public Schools

Please note that private schools in the District are not required to adhere to these rules. 

  • If someone is harassing you at school because you are trans (including slurs), it must be taken seriously. 
  • Under the U.S. Constitution, public schools have to address any harassment against LGBTQ+ students the same way they would address harassment against any other student. And a federal education law called Title IX bars public schools from ignoring harassment based on gender stereotyping. What this all means is that public schools can't ignore harassment for students who are transgender. 
  • If the uniform or dress code at your school is gender segregated, you have the right to follow the dress code that is consistent with your gender identity. 
  • School officials can't tell you that you have to change who you are or that the harassment is your fault because of how you dress or act. 
  • Your school cannot stop you from participating in an activity or program because you are trans. 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

  • Title IX prohibits schools that receive federal financial assistance from limiting or denying a student's participation in any school program on the basis of sex. 
  • Based on court cases, this can be understood to prohibit discrimination, including sexual harassment, based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, and gender identity or transgender status. 
  • Public schools can't ignore harassment based on gender stereotyping. This means that public schools can't ignore harassment based on appearance or behavior that doesn't "match" your gender: boys who wear makeup, girls who dress "like a boy," or students who are transgender. 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 

  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. 
  • FERPA specifically prohibits the improper disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from students' records. 
  • With regard to LGBTQ students, information relating to gender identity or sexual orientation may constitute personally identifiable information (PII) as an indirect identifier. Therefore, school officials should use caution and follow FERPA disclosure guidelines when considering the release of such information. 
  • Disclosure by school staff has the potential to create a hostile environment at school and can negatively impact a student's life at home if the family is not supportive. 

Resources: 

  • LGBTQ+ Students: What to Do if You Face Harassment at School. Link 
  • D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Policy Guidance (2015): a tool for schools, parents, and students to effectively navigate existing laws, regulations, and policies that support transgender or gender-nonconforming DCPS students. Link 
  • DCPS Bullying Prevention Policy: DCPS’s Bullying Prevention Policy defines bullying and lays out steps schools must take to prevent and respond to it. Link 
  • DCPS LGBTQ+ Support & Inclusion Page: resource page from DCPS on how to make schools safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families. Link 
  • Transgender Law Center Resource Page for Youth: resource page for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Link 
  • Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools FAQ on Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students in K-12 Schools: one-pager on resources that support trans and non-binary students in K-12. Link 
  • GLAD Information for LGBTQ+ People Under the Trump Administration: a resource page for information compiled in response to actions at the federal level. Link 
  • PFLAG Executive Order Explainers and Resources: a catch-all page for news and resources regarding President Trump’s Executive Orders impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Link 

Your D.C. Identification and Passport Resources

All of us, including transgender people, need accurate and consistent identity documents that reflect who we are. That's what IDs are for. These documents allow us to travel, start new jobs, open bank accounts, and enroll in school. Having an ID that matches who you are is a matter of basic safety. Turning over your license to the police can be stressful for anyone, and that stress is amplified for transgender people if their ID does not match who they are. Every time someone shows an ID that fails to match their gender to a store clerk, security guard, or TSA agent, they are at risk. 

  • Whitman-Walker Name & Gender Marker Changes in the District of Columbia Guide (2023): Guide providing legal and administrative steps associated with changing one’s name and/or gender marker on identity documents in D.C. Link 
  • Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic Trans Youth Handbook: A handbook for trans youth to learn about their legal rights in different areas of their life, including how to complete a name and gender marker change and update documents. Link