Transgender Health & Wellness Center files complaint against county over discrimination
Luis Avila
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 a contract 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 President Trump’s 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.”
Response From Riverside County:
“The County of Riverside and the Continuum of Care have partnered with the Transgender Health & Wellness Center for several years. The most recent HUD-funded agreement ended after the County identified areas where contractual requirements were not fully met. The County has not been made aware of the concerns raised, however will fully cooperate with any review requested. The provisions in question were mandated by HUD and incorporated exactly as required into our grant agreements. As an administrative entity, the County must ensure compliance with all federal grant conditions while ensuring services remain accessible and responsive to community needs.”
With the complaint now filed, the state will begin an investigation into the matter.
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