Advocacy 101 Resources
Executive Order Explainers and Resources
There is no escaping the realities of what has been taking place in the federal government since January 20, 2025, especially regarding Executive Orders (EOs).
They have been far-reaching yet not unexpected, ranging from redefining the identities and experiences of our trans, nonbinary, and intersex loved ones to redefining birthright citizenship, from ending DEI initiatives to ending the United States’ participation in the World Health Organization. And while the EOs are still coming fast, furious, and are undeniably angering and frightening, it’s important to remember that few EOs can change policy immediately, nor can they immediately change regulations nor the law as established through statutes and the courts; litigation is sure to follow and, in some cases, is already being prepared. Remember: Your validity is not dictated by an Executive Order.
Here are the EOs to date, sorted by topic, including helpful explainers from our many legal and policy partners on the frontlines of this work plus trusted resources to support your advocacy and messaging efforts around them.
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Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Orders
What does this mean?
So far, President Trump has signed dozens of executive orders (EOs), including ones that impact the LGBTQ+ community; he has also rescinded a number of previous EOs that protected the community. Remember that executive actions do NOT have the authority to override the United States Constitution, federal statutes, or established legal precedent. Given that, many of these orders will be difficult to implement, and efforts to do so will be challenged through litigation.
For a broad overview of new EOs and rescinded EOs, visit HRC’s background on Day One EOs impacting the LGBTQ+ Community.
**Please note that we are working hard to bring you up-to-date, accurate information from our trusted partners, like Lambda Legal, the ACLU, GLAD Law, NCLR, and more. This includes on the most recent EO on gender-affirming care. As soon as that information becomes available you will find it here.**
Resources
- Trump’s Executive Orders Promoting Sex Discrimination, Explained (ACLU)
- Passports
- The State Department has suspended all applications for passport gender changes in response to President Trump’s executive order restricting transgender rights. Per our friends at the ACLU, here are some important things to know:
- The Trump administration said that the Executive Order would not apply retroactively to current passports, meaning current passports, including those with X gender markers, remain valid. It is unclear how they intend to enforce the policy for transgender people renewing passports.
- All applications for gender marker changes are on hold while the State Department changes this policy.
- Anyone who now submits an application for a change runs the risk of losing access to their passports and documents while their application is being processed.
- Please use this form to report any passport issues directly to the ACLU.
- Passports
- Resources and Information for Transgender Service Members (A coalition of trusted trans military and legal organizations)
- Impact of Executive Order Revoking Non-Discrimination Protections for LGBTQ Federal Employees and Employees of Federal Contractors (Williams Institute)
- A4TE Trans Survival Guide
- Trump’s Executive Orders Promoting Sex Discrimination, Explained (ACLU)
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Anti-Immigration Executive Orders
What Does This Mean?
Anti-immigration executive orders were among the top actions taken by the Trump Administration on Day 1. Our friends at the National Immigrant Law Center have provided an excellent analysis of all of these orders that we recommend reading.
Resources
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Anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and Accessibility Executive Orders
What does this mean?
Trump’s EOs rolling back DEI and accessibility efforts are a deliberate attempt to undo progress and create new barriers to opportunity for all, upending long-standing bipartisan federal policy meant to open doors that had been unfairly closed. Our friends at the ACLU have created a helpful explainer about each of the EOs and what they are intended to do.
Resources
- PFLAG Academy Online On-Demand: Be Kind, Rewind: Recognizing Your Role in Building Inclusion Recording & Training Toolkit
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Anti-Reproductive Health Executive Orders
What does this mean?
President Trump has already signed several EOs regarding reproductive health, including one enforcing the Hyde Amendment and another reinstating the global gag rule. Our friends at Planned Parenthood have created helpful resources with information on both. Find those in our resources below.
Resources
- Hyde Amendment Explainer (Planned Parenthood)
- Global Gag Rule Explainer (Planned Parenthood)
Please note that we will refresh this site as more EOs are signed and resources are created. If you’re not signed up to receive our newsletters and emails—including our weekly Friday Policy Matters update—please visit https://pflag.org/newsletter-sign-up/ to sign up to receive up-to-date information on EOs and more.
Here are some general advocacy resources as well as actions you can take based on what we’ve already seen and heard:
- Contact your state legislators and tell them to respect trans, nonbinary, and intersex kids. Regardless of where you live, this message is important for legislators to hear
- Watch Advocacy at All Levels: Making Your PFLAG Voice Heard. Our most recent PFLAG Academy Online training will teach you the ins and outs of the legislative process and how you can make a difference.
- Sign up for your local state equality group newsletters to stay up to date on what’s happening in your state.
