Grants had been frozen by the Trump Administration, cutting off services for thousands in LA
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — Today, Saturday, June 28, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) joined leaders from APLA Health and the Los Angeles LGBT Center outside APLA’s Gottlieb Medical Center to celebrate the release of nearly $20 million in previously frozen HIV prevention funds. One month ago, Friedman led California Congressional democrats demanding the Trump Administration immediately release these frozen Congressionally appropriated funds for HIV prevention and surveillance programs and to provide clear answers on the status of these critical awards.
A recording of the event can be downloaded here.
The grants that were unfrozen for Los Angeles total $19,788,675 in federal investment for the period of June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026. This represents an increase of $338,019 from their 2024 award, based on a full 12 months.“Let’s be clear, this freeze never should have happened,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman. “It was reckless, politically motivated, and it put lives at risk. I led the fight to get this funding restored because public health decisions should be based on science, not ideology. These grants support the very tools that have helped cut new HIV infections by 21% in targeted areas and I won’t stop fighting to protect them.”
“When this funding was frozen, APLA Health and all of our community partners across Los Angeles County had to literally close critical public health services. Services like HIV testing, free STD screening, and treatment for people without insurance. Critical services like PrEP patient navigation, PrEP extra support for those folks who need help accessing the best HIV prevention intervention that we’ve ever had. We had to lay off trusted staff and we literally had to close our doors to patient care,” said APLA Health CEO Craig Thompson. “With the funding restored, we can get back to the work that we’re committed to doing, ensuring that everyone in Los Angeles County, all queer people, regardless of where you live, have access to high-quality, low-income, low-cost, or free HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. And with Congresswoman Friedman’s help, we’ve been able to do that today. Thank you.”
“I want to start by thanking Congresswoman Friedman for your leadership and for standing with the LGBTQ community, not just in words but in action. And quite frankly, that doesn’t happen enough. You’ve been a fierce and consistent ally for the Los Angeles LGBT Center and everyone who depends on our services,” said LA LGBT Chief Strategy Officer Terra Russell-Slavin. “These aren’t just services, they’re lifelines for people who already face barriers to care. And let’s be clear, the damage is already done. The Trump administration created a situation where programs, including ours and others, had no choice but to start pulling back.”
The event marked a major public health victory for LGBTQ communities and local providers, even as the damage caused by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze may not be fully reversible. Weeks of disruption forced programs to scale back or shut down, and while these investments have been restored, the fight to protect these services and the LGBTQ community is far from over.
Friedman was joined by APLA Health CEO Craig Thompson and LA LGBT Chief Strategy Officer Terra Russell-Slavin.
Below: Friedman outside the APLA’s Gottlieb Medical Center with APLA CEO and LA LGBT Center.