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In the face of injustice, the Gospel calls us to stand firm. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus reminds us, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” This divine mandate compels us to care for all of God’s people—without exception. Today, as anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion policies sweep across the nation, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to liberation, justice, and the radical love of Christ.

The past several weeks have laid bare the dangerous and escalating attacks on LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender individuals, as well as broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In Congress, Representative Nancy Mace unapologetically spewed anti-trans slurs, further dehumanizing an already vulnerable community. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has doubled down on executive orders aimed at erasing transgender rights and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government and military. These actions are not merely political maneuvers; they are calculated assaults on human dignity.

USAID and the Politics of Hatred

Perhaps one of the most insidious moves by the administration has been the attempt to cut off USAID funding—resources that provide critical health services, HIV/AIDS prevention, and humanitarian assistance around the world. Emails recently revealed that Treasury officials, under pressure from Elon Musk’s associates and Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sought to block USAID payments, effectively endangering lives in marginalized communities both in the U.S. and abroad. This is not just an administrative change—it is an act of violence against the most vulnerable.

The Disappearance of Critical Health Data

In another alarming development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has begun purging health data related to LGBTQ+ health, racial disparities, and reproductive health. A recent memo ordered the removal of content linked to so-called “gender ideology,” leading to the disappearance of key datasets like the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the Social Vulnerability Index. Journalists and health professionals report that even the National Center for Health Statistics files on mortality causes are now inaccessible or corrupted.

The implications of this data erasure are profound. Health data is not just numbers; it is a critical tool for understanding systemic disparities and advocating for policies that protect marginalized communities. The erasure of LGBTQ+ health and racial disparity data makes it easier for those in power to deny the realities of oppression and craft policies based on ideology rather than evidence. Without this information, it becomes nearly impossible to track health inequities, making communities of color and LGBTQ+ individuals even more vulnerable.

The U.S. has long been a global leader in collecting granular health data that exposes disparities in medical access and outcomes. The removal of such information aligns with the administration’s broader strategy of silencing marginalized voices and rolling back civil rights protections. This is an dangeous tactic: erase the evidence, then deny the problem exists.

The Church Must Not Be Silent

As Christians, we cannot look away. The same Christ who overturned tables in the temple in righteous anger calls us to resist systems of oppression. Liberation theology teaches us that God is on the side of the oppressed, and our faith demands action. We must:

• Speak Out: Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Churches and faith leaders must publicly condemn these policies and reaffirm our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and racial justice.
• Organize: Now is the time to mobilize our communities. Call your representatives. Demand protections for LGBTQ+ people. Support organizations that fight for equality.
• Provide Sanctuary: As laws become more hostile, churches must serve as sanctuaries for those under attack. This is what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
• Resist with Love: Hate cannot drive out hate. We must embody radical love, refusing to mirror the cruelty of our oppressors but instead demonstrating the transformative power of justice-rooted faith.

God’s Love is for Everyone

Jesus did not come to uphold the status quo—he came to turn the world upside down, to lift up the marginalized, to break chains, and to proclaim good news to the poor. The Open and Affirming movement is not just about welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the church; it is about tearing down the systems that seek to erase them. It is about declaring, with unwavering conviction, that all of God’s people are beloved, and none will be left behind.

This is our call. This is our fight. And in the words of Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up.” Amen.