A wave of fear and uncertainty crashed over the LGBTQ community following Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election. The result, as many predicted, was a harsh blow to the progress made during the Obama presidency, ushering in an era where their rights seemed increasingly vulnerable.
Lucian Holness, a transgender marketing manager, braced himself for the worst. Having started their transition journey during the pandemic, a period marked by self-discovery and liberation, the election result felt like a punch to the gut.
“Maybe I thought it would be a closer race than it was," Holness admitted. "And just seeing how many states we were losing, the immense way that we lost … that really destroyed me. For several days after, I had no hope in humanity."
Trump’s victory was more than just a political statement; it was a symbolic rejection of the LGBTQ community. His campaign was notorious for its vitriolic rhetoric, actively targeting transgender individuals with harmful ads that depicted them as a threat. His words resonated with a section of the electorate, fueling anxieties within the LGBTQ community about their safety and future.
While many saw the rise of Trumpism as a threat to America’s democratic values, the LGBTQ community felt the sting more acutely. Black women, a group who, like the LGBTQ community, had overwhelmingly voted for Harris, also watched with apprehension.
“Black voters and queer voters understood the assignment in this election, and our assignment was to defeat the great threat to our safety and freedom that Trump poses," said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of GLSEN, an LGBTQ advocacy group.
Trump’s campaign, fueled by a conservative agenda, sought to roll back the clock on LGBTQ rights. The focus on restricting healthcare access for transgender individuals, particularly youth, raised alarm bells.
"The number one issue, of the many that the trans people I spoke with are worried about, is access to the health care that we need to live," said Gillian Brandstetter, a communication strategist at the American Civil Liberties Union.
In the weeks following the election, transgender individuals realized their future was shrouded in uncertainty. Some, fearing for their safety, remained in the closet. Others grappled with the prospect of losing jobs and homes, while many rushed to secure legal recognition because their gender identity was suddenly a political battleground.
There were whispers about leaving the country, pursuing adoption before Trump took office, or even exploring powerful hormone treatments for those who hadn’t already begun transition. Panic-inducing “what ifs” dominated internet forums, fostering a feeling of helplessness and despondency.
The outcome of cases like United States v. Skrmetti before the Supreme Court loomed large. This case, which challenged a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors, could potentially have national implications for transgender youth’s access to essential healthcare.
For those seeking solace, there were LGBTQ community centers and online support groups.
"It’s dehumanizing people," said Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD. “They want to treat us as second-class citizens [questioning our] dignity and respect.”
While the fight ahead promised to be challenging, LGBTQ Americans, like many who had faced adversity throughout history, prepared to stand their ground. The fight for equality had entered a darker chapter, but they won’t be silenced. They were ready to reclaim their identities, their rights, and their humanity, one law and one campaign at a time.
## ”A Punch too the Gut: The Trans Community Grapples with Trump’s return”
**World Today News** sits down with Lucian Holness, a transgender marketing manager, to discuss the LGBTQ community’s anxieties following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential election.
**World Today News:** Lucian, thank you for speaking with us during this difficult time. The election results have shaken the LGBTQ community, to say the least. Can you tell us about your initial reaction?
**Lucian Holness:** Honestly, it felt like a punch to the gut. Maybe I was naive, hoping it would be a closer race, but seeing those numbers… it was just devastating. The past few years have been a period of incredible self-finding and liberation for me. Coming out during the pandemic, surrounded by supportive friends and family, allowed me to finally be myself. now, with Trump back in office, all that progress feels so fragile, so vulnerable.
**WTN:**
Many are worried about the rollback of hard-fought rights,especially concerning transgender individuals. What are your biggest fears?
**LH:** It’s not just about legislation being repealed, it’s about the atmosphere, the rhetoric. Trump’s policies emboldened hate groups and fueled a climate of fear and intolerance. I worry about increased violence, about discrimination in housing and employment, about the healthcare I rely on being taken away.
**WTN:**
You mentioned finding support within your personal network. How is the wider LGBTQ community responding to this setback?
**LH:**
There’s a lot of anger, a lot of grief, but also a fierce determination to fight back.
We’ve seen incredible mobilization in the past, and I believe this will be no different. Organizations are gearing up for legal battles, community centers are opening their doors wider, and people are reaching out to support each other. This isn’t the end, it’s a call to action.
**WTN:**
What message do you have for young LGBTQ individuals who might be feeling particularly vulnerable right now?
**LH:**
You are not alone. You are loved, you are valid, and you deserve respect. This election doesn’t erase your identity or your worth. Find your community, lean on your loved ones, and remember that we will get through this, together.
**WTN:**
Thank you, Lucian, for sharing your thoughts and your resilience. Your voice, along with the voices of countless others in the LGBTQ community, will continue to be crucial in the fight for equality and justice.
**The road ahead will be challenging, but the LGBTQ community has proven time and again its strength and unwavering resolve.**
