A federal judge has issued a ruling to halt the termination of research grants related to LGBTQ+ health issues provided by the US National Institutes of Health. The decision, handed down on Friday, effectively pauses the Trump administration’s move to cancel these grants.

The terminated grants, which focus on various health aspects concerning the LGBTQ+ community, have been a subject of contention. The judge’s intervention comes amidst concerns over the potential impact of cutting funding to research in this critical area.

In response to the court’s decision, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services stated that they are reviewing the ruling and considering their next steps. The pause in terminating these grants marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ+ health research funding.

While advocates for LGBTQ+ health research welcome the judge’s decision as a temporary reprieve, the future of these grants remains uncertain pending further legal proceedings. The case underscores the complex intersection of health research, government policy, and LGBTQ+ rights, raising important questions about the prioritization of funding in this field.