In her final interview before passing away in 1992, Marsha P. Johnson, a prominent activist known as an icon of the movement preceding LGBTQ rights in the United States, explained her dedication to a cause that often excluded her as a transgender woman. “I’ve been advocating for gay rights all these years,” Johnson shared, referencing early Pride marches. She emphasized the importance of fighting for rights collectively, stating, “Because you never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”
Over time, social and political progress expanded to include the LGBTQ community, encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. However, recent years have seen setbacks as states like Tennessee and Texas proposed legislation restricting gender-affirming care, bathroom access, and sports participation for transgender individuals. LGBTQ advocates noted a rise in anti-trans sentiment during President Trump’s 2024 campaign, which continued during his term in office. His policies aligned closely with Project 2025, a conservative agenda aimed at undermining LGBTQ rights, particularly targeting transgender individuals.
Critics accused Trump of using a “divide and conquer” strategy within the LGBTQ community. His policies, from healthcare bans to erasing non-binary gender pronouns, focused on restricting rights for trans people, despite their small percentage of the population. LGBTQ advocates saw this as a deliberate tactic to create division.
While most LGBTQ voters did not support Trump, a faction of gay conservatives backed him, dismissing concerns raised by the broader LGBTQ community. Some defended Trump’s policies, denying their impact on personal freedoms. For instance, when a federal lifeline for LGBTQ youth faced termination, the Log Cabin Republicans labeled media coverage criticizing the move as “fake news.”
On social media platforms like TikTok, conservative gay influencers expressed support for Trump, arguing that his administration did not affect their rights as LGBTQ individuals. Trump’s executive orders, including one recognizing only two genders – male and female – reinforced his stance on gender identity within the federal government.
Overall, the pushback against LGBTQ rights under the Trump administration highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the community, emphasizing the importance of unity and advocacy for equality.
The policy implemented by the Trump administration seeks to prevent transgender individuals from using gender markers on official documents, such as passports, that align with their gender identities. Instead, it mandates that these markers correspond with the individual’s reproductive organs “at conception.” Jessie Rossman, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Massachusetts, criticized this policy, stating that it violates privacy rights and the freedom of all individuals to live safely and with dignity. The ACLU has been actively involved in a lawsuit aimed at overturning this policy. Despite facing legal challenges, experts question the policy’s long-term validity, particularly as it clashes with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which protects LGBTQ employees from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In addition to the passport policy, the Trump administration has issued orders to eliminate diversity and inclusion initiatives, citing a supposed misinterpretation of the Bostock ruling. LGBTQ advocacy groups argue that these policies have already had negative effects on the community, describing them as part of a strategy to divide and conquer. Furthermore, the Department of Defense has banned books touching on gender identity, sexual orientation, and race from schools for military families, a move challenged by the ACLU in a separate lawsuit.
The administration’s directives have also impacted corporate partnerships with Pride celebrations, public health programs for HIV/AIDS prevention, and Justice Department initiatives investigating anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Despite these actions, a White House spokesperson highlighted President Trump’s appointment of openly gay officials and judges, as well as efforts to decriminalize homosexuality globally and end the HIV epidemic by 2030. However, concerns remain about proposed budget cuts that could hinder these initiatives.
In response to inquiries about LGBTQ rights under the Trump administration, the spokesperson emphasized the President’s broad support base and efforts to promote national pride. They highlighted initiatives taken during Trump’s first term but did not address ongoing concerns regarding LGBTQ rights.
“In a time where the President is delivering on campaign promises with the support of 77 million voters and is believed to be leading us into a Golden Age. However, critics argue that the current administration’s stance on LGBTQ issues is contributing to increased violence against LGBTQ individuals and is a cause for concern for future challenges.
Sarah-Kate Ellis, President and COO of LGBTQ media organization GLAAD, describes the administration as clearly anti-LGBTQ, with indications that they are aiming to reverse hard-fought rights. President Trump and his associates have often portrayed LGBTQ individuals in a negative light, even going so far as to announce a ban on drag shows at the Kennedy Center as ‘anti-American propaganda.’
Advocates and scholars note that the administration has employed political tactics to marginalize transgender individuals, drawing on historically anti-gay rhetoric to target these communities. The erasure of LGBTQ references from official government websites, such as the White House and the Stonewall National Monument site, has further fueled concerns within the LGBTQ community.
Despite progress made in LGBTQ rights, there is a sense of apprehension among advocates about potential future challenges. With the looming threat of a right-wing backlash against landmark decisions like Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage, there are fears of continued attacks on LGBTQ rights and communities. Recent legislative actions in several states and resolutions by organizations like the Southern Baptist Convention have raised alarms within the LGBTQ community about potential rollbacks of marriage equality.
In light of these developments, LGBTQ advocates stress the importance of protecting the rights and equality of LGBTQ individuals and communities in the face of ongoing challenges and threats.”
Many Americans maintain their support for it. However, there are concerns that the process of reversing Obergefell may resemble the path that eventually led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This landmark decision had kept abortion legal for five decades until justices appointed by President Trump shifted the balance of the Supreme Court and repealed it. In other news, a detailed analysis of significant Supreme Court rulings on nationwide injunctions is available. Also, catch Gordi performing “Lunch at Dune” on Saturday Sessions. Finally, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are preparing for a lavish wedding ceremony in Venice attended by numerous celebrities.
