Election season concluded with some jaw-dropping results, and many Americans are left grappling with the aftermath. With Donald Trump reclaiming the presidency, many voices within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender rights advocates, are expressing deep concerns about what this could mean for their future. After years of growing acceptance and strides toward equality, this election marks what many perceive as a significant setback for transgender rights.
Advocates detailed this sentiment, pointing to the pervasive anti-trans rhetoric and media portrayals throughout Trump's recent campaign. Jennifer Finney Boylan, a prominent transgender author and educator, described the campaign's atmosphere, stating, “I just went through an election where I couldn’t watch a sports event on TV without seeing a commercial where trans people were portrayed as monsters.” The fear it instills is palpable; many individuals now worry about policies the incoming administration might adopt.
According to data gathered by AP VoteCast, about 55% of voters, including 85% of Trump supporters, think the support for transgender rights has gone too far. The division of opinion among the electorate raises serious questions about the future of these rights under the new administration. Shannon Minter, a civil rights lawyer with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, emphasized the urgency of portraying the everyday realities of transgender lives. “This is a frightening moment for transgender people and their families,” he stated, reflecting the anxiety many feel as they anticipate potential legislative actions by the Trump-led administration.
Trump’s victory potentially signals the beginning of efforts to roll back various protections for transgender individuals. From educational policies affecting transgender students to health care provisions for trans youth, the list of concerns is lengthy and growing. His administration could act swiftly to undermine Title IX protections, which play a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of transgender students concerning their chosen pronouns, facilities, and sports teams.
Hopefully, it’s not all doom and gloom. Despite the challenges, activists within the community are rallying together for renewed collective efforts, emphasizing the importance of standing firm during trialing times. A notable victory came from Sarah McBride, who became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress by winning Delaware’s lone House seat. Such milestones serve as reminders of the resilience and determination embodied by many in the LGBTQ+ community.
Meanwhile, as discussions around health care turn more urgent with the potential impact of Trump's administration, concerns are rising among users of period-tracking apps. One such app, Clue, recently announced on TikTok it would refuse to share user data with U.S. officials, regardless of whether it is legally compelled to do so. Following the election, concerns about state-level surveillance of menstrual health and its connection to reproductive rights have spiked, prompting Clue to issue strong reassurances to its users. Its CEO, Rhiannon White, stated, “We take the responsibility of protecting it extremely seriously, because everyone should be able to confidently keep a health record and trust it will always be kept safe and secure.”
Clue, created by co-founders Ida Tin, Hans Raffauf, Moritz von Buttlar, and Mike LaVigne, provides menstrual health tracking services to over 10 million individuals worldwide. Amid the rising surveillance concerns, users have expressed renewed confidence to continue using the app, with hundreds taking to social media to affirm their support.
The intersection of politics and personal health has never been clearer, as the looming threats around reproductive and transgender rights take center stage. Trump’s administration may not seek to impose a direct federal abortion ban initially, but statements suggest they could withdrawal licenses for widely used medications, like mifepristone, effectively curtailing access. Analysts caution this could lead to increased struggles for women needing healthcare services, particularly if states align with the administration’s policies.
Even out of Washington D.C., the signs are troubling. Recent election results also revealed Florida voters rejected measures to strengthen abortion rights, upholding existing bans. This follows mounting pressure from social conservatives aiming to enforce more restrictive measures on reproductive health.
With all this, many LGBTQ+ and ally activists are left questioning how to best respond to these legislative shifts. “It’s going to take long-term commitment to instigate change, but we have to show up for one another,” expressed Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center. Together, organizations across various spheres are encouraging community members to build coalitions, counteract misinformation, and bolster visibility for transgender issues, emphasizing unity during these precarious times.
Speaking about the historical roots of LGBTQ+ activism and struggles, Boylan reflected on the evolution of public sentiment around marriage equality, noting how framing the issue as one of love and dignity helped shift public opinion. Unfortunately, similar unifying messages are harder to convey when it concerns transgender lives, as problems are seen as much more complex. “The primary thing we’re fighting for is not the right to play with other women on a soccer team. We’re fighting for dignity, for respect, for the right to be left alone,” Boylan pointed out.
The future remains unclear for many individuals, with rising anxiety about what the next few years might hold for marginalized communities. But beneath this cloud of uncertainty, there remains hope and determination as advocates band together to fight for their rights, their lives, and their communities. Many have expressed their resolve to continue pushing for change, celebrating victories, big or small, along the way.
Whether it’s the continued narratives of resilience or demonstrative stands against surveillance and repression, the voices of those impacted can’t be overlooked. Those within the community are encouraged to continue sharing their stories, contributing to the collective struggle for acceptance and equality. Now more than ever, the need to connect and uplift must take precedence over despair, as activists envision what the future could hold.
While the recent elections may shake the foundational progress made, it also serves as a clarion call for collective action, community building, and renewed determination to advocate for one another. The personal is political, and individuals across the U.S. are gearing up for the battles to protect their rights, ensuring they aren’t backing down without making their voices heard — firmly and unequivocally.
