FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2025

Contact: press@democracyforward.org 

Rhode Island — Today, a federal judge in Rhode Island entered an order preliminarily blocking the sweeping and unlawful restrictions the Trump-Vance administration imposed on federal grants administered by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This decision, which follows an earlier granting of a temporary restraining order, safeguards critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused communities.

The lawsuit, Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Kennedy, was filed on July 21, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. It is backed by a coalition of domestic violence, sexual assault, housing, youth, and homelessness organizations, seeking to block new federal grant conditions targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and transgender rights. Plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward, Jacobson Lawyers Group, National Women’s Law Center, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island, and the ACLU Foundation of Rhode Island.

The coalition of plaintiffs in the case includes Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, California Partnership To End Domestic Violence, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, District Of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual And Domestic Violence, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jane Doe Inc. (the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence), Kansas Coalition Against Sexual And Domestic Violence, Montana Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ValorUS, Violence Free Minnesota, Virginia Sexual And Domestic Violence Action Alliance, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault,  House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Community Care Alliance, Foster Forward, Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, and Haus of Codec. 

The plaintiffs in the case issued the following joint statement:

“We welcome the court’s recognition that the government cannot weaponize funding authority to silence, exclude, or punish inclusive service providers. This 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.”

Read the decision here.

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ValorUS® (VALOR) is a California-based, national anti-sexual violence organization and California’s sexual assault coalition, representing the 84 rape crisis center programs across the state. Since our founding in 1980, we have continued to build dynamic relationships across a diverse range of communities, institutions and systems, and mobilize our network of survivors and advocates to influence change. Through advancing equity, leadership, prevention, and advocacy, we are fearlessly pursuing a world free from violence where the dignity of every person is valued and respected. For more information, visit valor.us. 

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) works to prevent and end domestic violence in California by mobilizing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allies. Via public policy, prevention, communications, and community-based strategic engagement, we strive to build healthy relationships at all levels by eliminating the injustices which perpetuate cycles of violence, elevating and expanding opportunities for innovative solutions that center survivors, and building and funding support for local programs using a healing lens. For more information, visit cpedv.org.

Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.