Transgender Health & Wellness Center files complaint against county over discrimination
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Transgender Health and Wellness Center has filed a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department, alleging that Riverside County’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department inserted discriminatory language into subrecipient contracts that could affect transgender, gender-nonconforming, and intersex residents.
According to the organization, the county altered the terms of a contract that provides funding for emergency housing and support services. CEO and founder Thomi Clinton said the new language reflects policies tied to a Trump-era executive order that bars reimbursement to groups “promoting gender ideology.”
“Unfortunately, our name is gender ideology. So they are demanding I sign that contract, which then I risk not getting my 132-thousand dollars back, that I’m out, and they’re refusing to give me my reimbursements for the organization that we have paid out in good faith until we sign that new agreement.”
Thomi Clinton, Transgender Health & Wellness Center CEO & Founder
Clinton said she attempted to work with the county before filing the complaint, but claims she faced retaliation instead.
“They said there was no other contract and then we have this contract that we have in email correspondence where we have it and we sent it and they awarded it to us.”
Thomi Clinton, Transgender Health & Wellness Center CEO & Founder
The center noted that other cities have resisted similar federal directives and continued to support LGBTQ+ services.
Without the funding, Clinton warned that critical housing and safety programs for LGBTQ+ residents could be jeopardized—services that thousands in the county rely on.
“The county has not been that supportive of LGBQ people, in general... Instead they took the opportunity to carry out what they did and kiss the ring of the king and move forward with it.”
With the complaint now filed, the state will begin an investigation into the matter. Riverside County has not responded to requests for comment.
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