DOGE Collapses, Leaving Lasting Impact on Global LGBTQ+ Communities

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has officially ceased operations after just ten months, causing significant repercussions for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Founded under the leadership of tech billionaire Elon Musk, the agency failed to meet its ambitious goal of reducing federal spending by $2 trillion in its first year. As a result, many lives have been disrupted, with tragic outcomes for numerous individuals.

In an interview earlier this month, Scott Kupor, Director of the White House Office of Personnel Management, confirmed the agency’s dissolution, stating, “That doesn’t exist.” During its brief existence, DOGE was responsible for the dismissal of approximately 300,000 federal workers, a majority of whom were let go as part of its sweeping cuts. According to a January report from the Williams Institute, LGBTQ+ individuals comprised about 8 percent of the federal workforce, translating to roughly 314,000 employees at that time.

The impact of DOGE’s termination has been particularly severe for the global health landscape, especially following the layoffs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency lost nearly 2,000 staff as a result of DOGE’s actions, which effectively dismantled vital humanitarian services. This abrupt funding loss hindered access to crucial health resources, including medication for HIV treatment and prevention.

Research from epidemiologist Brooke Nichols at Boston University indicates that the funding halt has already contributed to an estimated 208,296 adult deaths and 433,202 child deaths by June 2025. This staggering statistic reflects an average of 88 deaths per hour linked to the lack of health services that have been critically affected.

In response to these cuts, Senate Republicans took measures to protect $400 million allocated for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is a significant global initiative providing $7.5 billion annually for HIV and AIDS treatment across 54 countries. PEPFAR serves as a primary provider of essential prevention and treatment drugs, indicating the importance of safeguarding this funding amidst broader cuts.

Further reductions on health-related research and programs followed in April, when the Trump administration terminated over 270 National Institutes of Health grants, equating to at least $124 million in unspent funds. These cuts targeted critical areas such as gender identity and sexual orientation studies, severely impacting ongoing research on health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations.

Among the programs eliminated were initiatives by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that focused on monitoring the HIV epidemic, as well as a laboratory dedicated to drug-resistance testing for sexually transmitted infections. The administration also slashed $70 million from the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network, which concentrates on HIV prevention and treatment for adolescents and young adults.

Specific grants affected by DOGE’s cuts included $620,000 for a pregnancy prevention program aimed at transgender boys and $740,000 for a study of social networks among Black and Latino LGBTQ+ men in New Jersey. These reductions highlight the far-reaching impact of DOGE’s dissolution on vital health initiatives that support some of the most vulnerable communities.

As the ramifications of DOGE’s collapse continue to unfold, the affected LGBTQ+ populations and their advocates face an uphill battle in seeking to restore essential services and funding. The future of these communities remains uncertain as they navigate the aftermath of a government initiative that ultimately fell short of its promises and responsibilities.

This situation illustrates the profound importance of sustained support for public health initiatives, particularly those addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups. The ongoing efforts to protect and revive funding for vital programs will be critical in mitigating the damage inflicted during DOGE’s brief tenure.