Today, Donald Trump was sworn in again as President of the United States. For many in the queer community, this moment feels like a gut punch—a vivid reminder of past policies and rhetoric that targeted our very existence. The fear is real, and the stakes feel higher than ever. But if there’s one thing we know about our community, it’s this: we rise.
From the darkest days of the AIDS crisis to the relentless fights for marriage equality, trans rights, and workplace protections, we have never stopped fighting. And this time will be no different. Together, we will rise again.
For those who remember Trump’s first presidency, today brings a chilling sense of déjà vu. We remember the trans military ban that painted our siblings as unworthy of service. We recall the rollback of Title IX protections that left queer and trans students vulnerable. We can’t forget the Supreme Court appointments that threatened our progress.
Yet, we also remember how we fought back. When Trump’s administration tried to silence us, we spoke louder. We protested, we voted, we organized. Grassroots efforts brought our issues to the forefront, creating a groundswell of activism that reached even the halls of Congress.
This is not our first battle. We have the tools, the strategies, and the fire to resist again.
While federal policies under Trump may threaten our rights, local communities remain hubs of resilience and hope. Across the country, queer folks have been building systems of support—mutual aid networks, shelters for queer youth, legal aid for trans individuals, and health initiatives that center our unique needs.
These grassroots efforts became lifelines during Trump’s first term, and they will again. Local activism is where the magic happens. It’s in the community centers hosting free STI testing, the drag shows raising community funds, and the kitchens cooking meals for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing homelessness.
No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., our local communities will be the stronghold where resistance thrives.
The queer community doesn’t exist in isolation, and neither does our fight. Our movement has always been strongest when it embraces intersectionality, standing shoulder to shoulder with movements for racial justice, reproductive rights, climate action, and economic equity.
Trump’s return to power threatens many marginalized communities, not just queer people. By building coalitions across these movements, we amplify our strength. Whether it’s queer groups supporting Black Lives Matter protests or trans organizers leading the charge for reproductive justice, solidarity remains our greatest weapon.
We’re all in this together, and together, we are unstoppable.
Resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about living boldly and joyfully in the face of oppression. Queer joy is a radical act. It’s in the Pride parades that paint cities in rainbows, the chosen families gathering for Sunday dinners, the unapologetic artistry of drag and ballroom culture.
During Trump’s first term, queer spaces became sanctuaries of defiance and healing. Drag queens raised money for grassroots initiatives. Queer artists created works that challenged oppression. Pride events adapted and thrived, even in a pandemic.
Let’s hold onto that joy. Let’s dance, create, love, and celebrate, knowing that every act of queer joy chips away at the systems trying to erase us.
Today feels heavy. The road ahead feels daunting. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that our power is immeasurable when we stand together.
We have faced hatred, violence, and erasure before. Each time, we’ve risen—stronger, louder, and more unapologetically ourselves. A Trump presidency may bring new challenges, but it’s no match for the strength of a united, intersectional, and relentless queer movement.
Together, we’ve overcome before. Together, we’ll rise again.
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