Election wins for Donald Trump and other candidates who have disparaged transgender individuals have cast a shadow over the progress of trans rights in America, marking one of the most prolonged setbacks for the LGBTQ+ community in its history.
For many transgender Americans, this situation is deeply personal, as concerns grow about how a potential Trump administration might further ostracize them. Yet, a sense of resilience persists among the community, with a determination to continue advocating for understanding and acceptance.
Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender author and educator at Barnard College in New York, expressed her dismay: “During the recent election, I noticed that I couldn’t watch any sports event without encountering commercials that depicted trans individuals in a villainous light,” she said. “This moment feels more painful than any I can recall. We’ve faced challenges before and will likely face them again, but our only option is to keep fighting.”
Over recent years, there has been an increasing momentum against trans rights, particularly as state legislations governed by Republicans have introduced numerous laws that limit medical care, sports engagement, and bathroom access for transgender individuals.
Activists are anxious that this trend will escalate with Trump’s return to power, especially as public sentiment regarding trans rights is becoming more polarized. According to a survey, a majority of voters—55% overall and 85% of Trump supporters—believe that support for transgender rights has exceeded its bounds in government and society.
Shannon Minter, a transgender civil rights attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, emphasized the pressing need to enlighten the public about the realities of transgender lives: “For most, being trans is just one aspect of their existence and not the entirety of their identity,” she stated. “This is indeed a troubling time for transgender individuals and their families, with a real possibility that incoming policies could impose severe harm on them.”
In the wake of his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has indicated plans to undo various protections for the transgender community, often leveraging advertising that mocked her stance on trans rights.
On multiple fronts, Trump, along with the Republican majority in the House and Senate, has hinted at reducing civil liberties for transgender people, including:
– Education: Trump has vowed to impose extensive restrictions on transgender students, potentially undermining their rights under Title IX to use preferred pronouns and access bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
– Health Care: A significant number of states, at least 26, have enacted laws limiting gender-affirming medical care for minors. In Texas, the Attorney General plans lawsuits against doctors who provide these treatments, and Trump aims to block Medicaid and Medicare availability for those offering gender-affirming care.
– Sports: The rhetoric opposing “boys participating in girls’ sports” has gained traction among Republicans. Approximately 24 states have instituted laws barring transgender women and girls from competing in certain women’s sports.
– Military: Trans-rights advocates worry about the reintroduction of a ban on openly transgender servicemembers or restrictions on their recruitment and medical care.
Widespread anger and concern have emerged from trans-rights organizations calling for collaboration to bolster public understanding. Despite the underlying anxiety, there have been notable victories, such as Sarah McBride’s election as Congress’s first openly trans member and the reelection of trans state representative Zooey Zephyr in Montana, who previously faced reprimand from her colleagues.
However, many trans activists echo their frustrations about the recent electoral landscape. One organization’s leaders remarked to their supporters that Trump’s campaign explicitly targeted the existence and rights of transgender individuals. Shelby Chestnut, the executive director of the Transgender Law Center, stated that trans individuals are being manipulated by political factions that lack a grasp of their communities’ needs.
“This is a challenging time,” she remarked. “While we will endure, it’s essential that we uplift and support one another. We need to maintain a long-term perspective and strategize about where we want to be in 15 years.”
Public opinion on transgender issues remains varied. More than half of voters expressed opposition to laws banning gender-affirming treatments for minors, whereas nearly half showed support for such legislation according to a recent survey. Adding to the complexity, a Gallup poll found that 69% of Americans believe transgender athletes should compete only on teams that align with their birth identity.
The LGBTQ+ rights movement has historically navigated adversity, especially after Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004, which triggered backlash in many states. However, public sentiment began to pivot favorably by 2012, culminating in the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage across the nation in 2015.
Boylan reflected on how advocates for same-sex rights harnessed a powerful message— “Love is Love”— which ultimately shifted the debate in their favor. In contrast, she noted that the trans community lacks a similarly potent unifying phrase and added that many anti-trans narratives center around issues that do not resonate with most trans individuals. “It’s not just about sports, but also about dignity, respect, and the fundamental right to exist peacefully,” she argued.
Maxwell Kuzma, a transgender man and film editor, shared his exhaustion from the ongoing attacks against the trans community and attributed some of this hostility to Trump. As he looks ahead to the future, he finds that being transgender has instilled a resilience that he intends to leverage in creating awareness against discrimination.
Christine Zuba, a transgender woman from New Jersey, noted that a recent rise in virtual meetings has enabled individuals to voice their concerns and formulate action plans. “One strong piece of advice is to avoid isolation and to seek out your support networks— the people who care for you,” she suggested. “Despair not, there are many allies willing to stand beside you.”
