Transgender rights advocates say election of Trump and allies marks major setback

election victories For Donald Trump and other candidates campaigns humiliated transgender people It has amplified widespread backlash against transgender rights. for america LGBTQ+ rights The movement is contributing to one of the most enduring declines in history.

For trans Americans, it’s personal: There’s a palpable fear of potential Trump administration steps aimed at further marginalizing them. But there is also a spirit of resilience; determination to persist in the search for acceptance and understanding.

“I went through an election where I couldn’t watch a sports game on television without seeing a commercial portraying transgender people as monsters,” said Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender writer who teaches at Barnard College in New York.

“This hurts more than any other moment I can remember. We’ve been destroyed before. We will collapse again. All we can do is fight.”

Anti-trans momentum has been building for several years, as Republican-run states have enacted dozens of laws restricting transgender people’s options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access.

Activists fear the movement will grow as the Trump administration comes to power, as many Americans question the transgender rights agenda. Overall, 55 percent of voters and 85 percent of Trump supporters said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far. AP Votinga survey of more than 120,000 people who voted nationwide.

“There is an urgent need to show the American people, everyday people, the reality of the lives of transgender people for whom being transgender is not central to their lives,” said Shannon Minter, a transgender civil rights attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“This is a scary moment for transgender people and their families. “There is a high probability that the new administration will adopt policies that will cause devastating harm to them.”

Trump won the presidential contest against Vice President Kamala Harris after a campaign that included common TV commercials mocking her support for trans rights. “Kamala is for them,” claimed one ad, which was aired more than 15,000 times. “President Trump is with you.” Other Democratic candidates It has also been targeted with anti-trans ads.

On a range of issues, Trump and other Republicans who hold majorities in both the House and Senate have threatened to roll back protections and civil liberties for transgender people.

— Education: Trump promises sweeping restrictions on education transgender students. Management can quickly move to ostracize them. Title IX protectionsInfluencing school policies regarding students’ use of preferred pronouns, bathrooms, and locker rooms.

— Health care: At least 26 states have adopted Laws that restrict or prohibit gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton file civil lawsuits He claimed against doctors that they prescribe such treatments. Trump said any doctor or hospital that provides gender-based care should be barred from Medicaid and Medicare.

— Sports: Trump and other Republicans have embraced the anti-trans mantra of opposing “boys participating in girls’ sports.” At least 24 states currently have laws banning transgender women and girls from participating in certain women’s or girls’ sports events. 16 college athletes applied in March. lawsuit against NCAAaccused transgender woman Lia Thomas of violating her Title IX rights by allowing her to compete in the 2022 national championships, which she won in the 500-yard freestyle.

— Army: Trans rights advocates are worried about this Trump may reintroduce ban on transgender people Serving openly in the military or – alternatively – banning future hiring of transgender people and restricting the availability of gender-affirming medical care for service members and veterans.

Trans rights organizations are calling for coalition formation and renewed efforts to increase public understanding. They celebrated some important victories. Sarah McBride She won Delaware’s only seat in the House of Representatives, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Transgender state in Montana Representative Zooey Zephyr was re-elected and will be able to return to Parliament in about two years silenced and confirmed by their Republican colleagues.

But anger and anxiety were the dominant emotions among transgender activists across the country.

“This election season has been brutal,” the leaders said. Transgender Equality Advocates he wrote to his supporters. “Trump has targeted trans people since the campaign began. He has targeted our existence. He has targeted our rights. He has promised to continue targeting trans people if he wins, and we know he will keep his promise.”