Over my 60 years of activism, I’ve witnessed many backlashes against our community, but never one as fierce and coordinated as what we are facing today from this administration.
Let’s look at the record so far — and don’t worry, I promise to leave you with hope at the end.
Already, all World Pride events booked at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. — a five-night contract — have been canceled. The National Park Service has stripped the “T” from our history at the Stonewall National Monument. Funding for HIV/AIDS research has been cut. Trump has issued an executive order banning transgender Americans from enlisting in the military. Support for endangered LGBTQ+ youth has been slashed. Clinics serving LGBTQ+ people and HIV/AIDS organizations are losing funding.
Passports are now being mandated to reflect the gender you were assigned at birth. His war on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is gutting support for Pride celebrations across the country and making it harder for LGBTQ+ people to get hired and advance in their careers. Education departments are censoring LGBTQ+ history and identities in schools. And sadly, this is just the beginning of the list.
So, how can I end this with hope?
Because in all my years of activism, every time we’ve faced a backlash, we’ve come out stronger, and this time will be no different. Why?
Because this time, we are not alone. Trump’s executive orders and cuts don’t just hurt us — they are hurting many communities. Hundreds of thousands have been fired from federal jobs. Funding has been slashed for cancer research, autism programs, and even the staff who help cities deal with lead poisoning in schools. Education programs, after-school activities, and school meal programs are under attack. Social Security recipients are being wrongfully declared “dead” to strip them of benefits. Medicare and Medicaid funding are at risk, threatening seniors and those who rely on critical health care services.
And that’s without even mentioning skyrocketing prices, tariffs and the looming threat of a recession.
This time, we have allies we never thought we’d have — people who now realize that their rights, their livelihoods, and their futures are on the line, too. And it’s going to take all of us — not just tweeting, not just posting online — but getting out into the streets and standing together.
So here’s my call to action:
The next time you hear about a demonstration, don’t just send a like or a retweet. Get off the couch. Be seen. Be heard. Be part of the fight.
Originally published by our partners at the Philadelphia Gay News on April 29, 2025.
