Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association Responds to Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Orders
The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association, the professional organization in Philadelphia providing a community for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) legal professionals, strongly disapproves of the Executive Orders released last Monday, January 20, 2025, that explicitly target and harm the LGBTQ+ community. Together these Executive Orders revoke LGBTQ+-focused protections; attack trans, nonbinary, and intersex people under the guise of protecting women; and begin the termination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts within our federal government. We have also seen the removal of dozens of federal government web pages related to the LGBTQ+ community. Among them, a pair of webpages dedicated to Nex Benedict and Matthew Shepard.
In the first week of the 2025-2029 Trump Administration, this Administration has made clear that the LGBTQ+ community is a target. We at the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association condemn these Executive Orders and the other measures that are being taken against us in ignorance and hatred. We stand with our strong community, and we remind ourselves that, as lawyers, we hold a powerful place in our society. We are advocates. We must use our skills as lawyers to protect our community.
The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association is committed to standing strong in the fight against hate and oppression. We do not know yet exactly what legal impact these Executive Orders will have and what more is to come. We are prepared to work with our community and LGBTQ+ organizations to provide education, information and support. Trans, nonbinary, and intersex people have always existed and this Administration cannot legislate them out of existence. We will not be silenced. As we have done in the past, we will fight back against this targeted discrimination through our reliance on each other and the support of our many allies. We thank you for your continued support for our work, mission, and values. We stand with you in solidarity.
