Wisconsin group joins suit over federal grant restrictions

A Wisconsin domestic abuse advocacy organization has joined a broad nationwide coalition suing to block the administration’s conditions on federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development.

The new funding restrictions target diversity, equity, inclusion and transgender rights putting life-saving services for domestic violence survivors and sexual assault, LGBTQI+ youth and unhoused communities at risk, according to the coalition.

The coalition, which includes state organizations and service providers from across the country, including End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, is asking the court to block the administration from enforcing requirement that push grantees to restrict or deny diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, censor support for transgender individuals and certify compliance with broad anti-equity mandates or else face severe penalties.

“Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, and we move to tailor our services, so no one is left behind. Liberation is always the goal and restrictions often impair that goal, creating another setback that will leave people behind,” said Monique C. Minkens, executive director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. “If our interconnectedness is not recognized and all domestic violence victims are not supported on their paths to liberation then no one is left whole, including families and communities.”

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the lead organization in the lawsuit.

Created and authorized by Congress, the affected programs, including Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the McKinnley-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, have long provided critical support to organizations that serve survivors, families, youth and unhoused individuals.