The Trump administration rescinded a memo which alerted agencies and organizations to identify and review federal financial assistance programs that do not align with the president’s new policies. The memo specifically highlight’s Trump executive order signed on Jan. 20, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government – a move that specifically targets the LGBTQ+ communities and the organizations who aid them.

On Monday, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget released the memo, stating Trump’s immediate plans to freeze federal funds that would directly impact departments and agencies who the administration claims are working toward spreading ‘gender ideology extremism.’ The memo immediately created widespread confusion and raised concerns among all organizations who receive federal funds. 

The White House even had to release an immediate Q&A to answer all the questions and concerns regarding the freeze. The Q&A explained that the freeze on federal funds was meant for organizations who use federal funds to protect LGBTQ+ rights, access to housing, combating domestic violence and many more, further stating that organizations that provide Medicare, Social Security and SNAP benefits, are exempt from this freeze. 

Quickly following the release of this memo and moments before it was scheduled to take effect, District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a block and shortly after that, the administration rescinded the freeze in a two-sentence statement, all while arguing that Trump’s action is not full impoundment – when a president holds back money that Congress has already approved for a specific purpose. 

The first memo urged agencies to immediately review financial assistance programs and activities to align with the new policies and requirements set forth by the new administration in order to ‘protect the American people and safeguard taxpayer resources,’ referencing the list of executive orders Trump signed into action over the first 10 days in office. 

Organizations who heavily rely on this type of assistance worked swiftly to release statements regarding the latest attack on vulnerable communities such as those who are undocumented or identify as LGBTQ+. 

The LA LGBT Center reached out to the community to ask for support while the future financial stability becomes uncertain as more incoming threats loom on the horizon. The Center is only one of many organizations which receive federal funding and who stand to see the detrimental losses of financial assistance under this administration. 

“We know that our work is being targeted by the Trump Administration and Republican-controlled Congress, but we remain unwavering in our commitment to providing the life-saving services that are essential to our community,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the LA LGBT Center. “The Center will fight to protect federal funding for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, HIV services and LGBTQ+ specific intimate partner violence programs – despite scare tactics by members of the Trump administration to cut these services.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement regarding Monday’s ban on federal funds. “In the blink of an eye, and in the dead of night Donald Trump committed one of the cruelest actions I have seen the federal government make in a very long time,” said Senate Minority Leader Schumer. 

This is just the first of many attacks and attempts to severely punish and disable organizations who are working to ensure that vulnerable populations receive basic needs and assistance.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department hosted a press conference on Friday, to answer questions from the community regarding resources and updates. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger directed homeowners and anyone else affected by the fires to visit the new LAFD website for more information regarding resources and assistance.

Law enforcement is allowing community members to access their homes if they are able to verify that they live at the address. Many are returning to a devastating scene – their home and belongings burned to the ground, leaving them to scramble for assistance and resources.

The Eaton Canyon is the second largest fire burning through Greater Los Angeles, with Pacific Palisades being the first.  It has affected the Altadena and Pasadena neighborhoods in the Northeast area, burning through 40,000 acres and counting.

“Yesterday we announced that FEMA has set up a new website and I’m seeing that people are filling out the form and being denied,” said County Supervisor Barger. “It is completely mind-boggling to me that people who have lost everything are filling out the form as told and getting an immediate denial.”

People in the area have resorted to crowd-funding sites like GoFundMe to secure financial assistance after the fire burned through their belongings and homes. County Supervisor Barger also stated that there have been scams regarding some of the posts asking for financial assistance. 

I witnessed the devastating view of what’s left after the fire tore through this Greater Los Angeles neighborhood: cars abandoned on the side of roads and at homes, houses burnt to the ground, schools and churches – usually easy to spot because of their architectural design – unrecognizable.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

This car was in the path of the fire, which started across the street in this Altadena neighborhood off of Glenrose Av. Neighbors say the nearby palm trees caught the sparks from across the street and then the fronds from the pal trees fell onto some backyards, while still lit. This rapidly spread the fire across to more homes on the side of the street that had previously been untouched by the fire.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

Homes in the Altadena neighborhoods were caught ablaze during heavy wind conditions on Wednesday, lasting all the way through Thursday night. The Eaton Canyon fire is one of the largest growing fires in Greater Los Angeles. Many homeowners have started filing FEMA requests and been immediately denied.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

Scores of power lines were knocked over by heavy winds, and others were burned in the path of the fire, leaving thousands of homes without power. The Department of Water and Power was on-scene today, fixing as many poles as possible and taking proactive measures to reduce fire risks in the area when winds pick up again this upcoming weekend.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

When available, firefighters assisted volunteers and neighbors who were helping put smaller fires out in homes where the owners had evacuated. Many fire departments from the nearby areas including Perris, Angeles National Forest and others have stepped in to assist in combating the blaze.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

Due to the strong winds from Wednesday and Thursday night carrying lit embers, some homes have been burned to the ground, while others were spared.

Photo credit Gisselle Palomera

Neighbors and volunteers are combating small fires that reignite throughout the day and night in many of these homes that structures that have been affected. Officials announced during a press conference on Friday that, although this red flag event is over, they are anticipating another red flag event on Monday. Other news outlets have reported that strong winds are due back in the Greater Los Angeles area beginning Friday night and possibly lasting through Sunday evening.

We will continue to provide more updates and report on stories as they develop.

Apollo Moon, known as Forest Harader to his family, passed away on Monday in Los Angeles after being hospitalized in the ICU and on life support as of late November. His death comes as a shock to many of his fans who avidly supported his creative work as a porn creator and model. He was notably famous for being a BIPOC porn creator in a historically white dominated space. 

The latest update from his family, according to a news site, is that his health declined after a recent injury, resulting in him being declared brain dead. They are asking the queer, trans and BIPOC communities to support them in ensuring he is properly grieved. His family posted on Meal Train asking for donations and so far, the community has shown their support, raising $12,750 of the $15,000 goal. 

The post also says that his parents will be taking an extended leave from work, along with this sister, during this difficult time. 

He was beloved and considered a leader in the transmasc community. 

This is a developing story and we will continue to update details as they become available.