STAUNTON – The LGBTQ community, and specifically the transgender and nonbinary communities, has come under attack by President Donald Trump since he took office in January.

Among the executive orders the president has signed, one, under the guise of protecting women’s rights, states the policy of the United States is to recognize only two sexes, male and female .

The order says that “female” and “male” is determined from conception.

AnhThu Nguyen, the executive director of the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, sent an email out Sunday afternoon addressing the organization’s concerns with Trump’s orders and letting the community know how it plans to navigate the changing landscape.

“There have been a flurry of horrific executive orders signed by the current administration in the past two weeks,” Nguyen wrote. ”These EOs target many of our most vulnerable community members, notably our transgender and nonbinary youth and adults, service members, and immigrants.”

Nguyen pointed out that executive orders do not establish new laws without congressional approval and are subject to judicial challenge.

“They can be overturned and contested in court, in fact, many lawsuits are already underway,” she wrote.

There is a lot of confusion in the community, she said, as people work to understand what these orders mean.

“We know that many are scared and uncertain about what impact these actions will have,” Nguyen said. “The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center is bolstered by guidance and support from a number of state and national organizations including CenterLink, Equality Virginia, ACLU, and Advocates for Trans Equality.”

Among the immediate impacts in Virginia was the decision by the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University to suspend gender-affirming care for minors .

Those decisions came in the wake of another executive order in which the president said “medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions.”

In her email, Nguyen said that there are still some Virginia providers that have reaffirmed their commitment to serving the transgender community, telling readers to reach out to center staff for referrals and more information.

She also referred those in need to reach out to the Trans Youth Emergency Project . A service of Campaign for Southern Equality, the project helps families of transgender youth by offering logistical and financial support.

Nguyen said that those seeking name and gender marker changes on federal documents or renewing passports should wait until there is further clarity on the process.

The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center is seeing a marked increase in community members seeking support, Nguyen said.

As far as impact on the organization, Nguyen said there are no changes to direct services they provide, but the rollback on DEI initiatives and grant funding by local corporations has temporarily slowed the center’s progress on some of its work, including its LGBTQ+ certification program.

“We are currently seeking alternative revenue and funding streams to bridge the gap,” she said.

Among the ways they are pushing back on these executive orders, Nguyen said the center is focused on being a political and organizing home to connect groups and organizations.

“We are in this together,” Nguyen said. “We'll continue to keep you updated on any upcoming actions, events, or community conversations. Be kind to one another.”