The uncertain future of gay rights in Trump's America
(Political Op-ed by Alyson Claire)
In the past two years since campaigning for the Presidency began, we’ve seen both progress and regression in many ways. The LGBT community has come a long way with nation-wide legality of same-sex marriage, however many fear that Trump’s new administration will soon take those rights away. From transgender bathroom laws to the rise in crimes against the LGBT community, can we really feel safe for the next four years? There are plenty of Trump supporters in the gay community and for most of us, it’s a baffling concept. Going beyond the fact that some people just really didn’t like Hillary Clinton and others are staunch republicans, it begs the question: What do these folks still supporting the POTUS and his cabinet expect to see in the area of improvement for LGBT lifestyles? Are they holding on to hope? Or is it a blind faith that the promises made to our community will be kept?
Two major issues concerning those of us who are not certain the current presidential administration will keep the LGBT community safe are the transgender bathroom laws and gay marriage laws. Let’s tackle the first. Transgendered individuals lead very confusing and sometimes heartbreaking lives. If they aren’t accepted by their families and friends, it can lead to isolation, severe depression and often times suicide. On top of that, one in two transgender people are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives (Source). To me, it sounds like we should be protecting these individuals, not putting their lives at more risk than they already are. So ask the question, if the men in Trump’s administration won’t even help female rape victims or women seeking refuge at places like Planned Parenthood, why would they help some of the most preyed upon people in our nation?
Speaking of our nation, how proud were we when it was decided that same-sex marriage would be legal throughout the United States? Women and men who had lived in the shadows, secretly together for years, some even half a century, were now granted the right to marry the person they loved. There now, more than ever, is a possibility that all of that happiness, the togetherness that we all felt after that victory, will soon come to an end. Mike Pence, our current Vice President, has never been afraid to vocalize how he feels about same-sex marriage and because of this, we fear regression. Accusations that Pence would try to use conversion therapy is a scary concept that could, but hopefully never would, turn into a harsh reality. Couples all over the nation are getting married quickly for fear that this may be the last chance they have if our administration decides to make same-sex marriage illegal once more. If you were thinking about asking your partner for their hand, I would, and fast.
So what do we do? The real question is what CAN we do? Often times, when our community faces a tragedy or adversity, we band together. The next four years could prove to be a walk in the park. Maybe, there’s nothing at all to worry about. However, if the past has taught us anything, it is there is power in numbers. If you see someone being abused, verbally or physically that is a member of the gay community, it is up to you to help. We must remain vigilant in staying strong together. There may be a time in the near future when your state decides to put an end to same-sex marriage. Let’s not take defeat lying down. Write to your local government officials, protest and march for your brothers and sisters who don’t have a voice and make yourself heard in your own community. The only way to “Make America Great Again”, is to make sure we still have a place in it.
In the past two years since campaigning for the Presidency began, we’ve seen both progress and regression in many ways. The LGBT community has come a long way with nation-wide legality of same-sex marriage, however many fear that Trump’s new administration will soon take those rights away. From transgender bathroom laws to the rise in crimes against the LGBT community, can we really feel safe for the next four years? There are plenty of Trump supporters in the gay community and for most of us, it’s a baffling concept. Going beyond the fact that some people just really didn’t like Hillary Clinton and others are staunch republicans, it begs the question: What do these folks still supporting the POTUS and his cabinet expect to see in the area of improvement for LGBT lifestyles? Are they holding on to hope? Or is it a blind faith that the promises made to our community will be kept?
Two major issues concerning those of us who are not certain the current presidential administration will keep the LGBT community safe are the transgender bathroom laws and gay marriage laws. Let’s tackle the first. Transgendered individuals lead very confusing and sometimes heartbreaking lives. If they aren’t accepted by their families and friends, it can lead to isolation, severe depression and often times suicide. On top of that, one in two transgender people are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives (Source). To me, it sounds like we should be protecting these individuals, not putting their lives at more risk than they already are. So ask the question, if the men in Trump’s administration won’t even help female rape victims or women seeking refuge at places like Planned Parenthood, why would they help some of the most preyed upon people in our nation?
Speaking of our nation, how proud were we when it was decided that same-sex marriage would be legal throughout the United States? Women and men who had lived in the shadows, secretly together for years, some even half a century, were now granted the right to marry the person they loved. There now, more than ever, is a possibility that all of that happiness, the togetherness that we all felt after that victory, will soon come to an end. Mike Pence, our current Vice President, has never been afraid to vocalize how he feels about same-sex marriage and because of this, we fear regression. Accusations that Pence would try to use conversion therapy is a scary concept that could, but hopefully never would, turn into a harsh reality. Couples all over the nation are getting married quickly for fear that this may be the last chance they have if our administration decides to make same-sex marriage illegal once more. If you were thinking about asking your partner for their hand, I would, and fast.
So what do we do? The real question is what CAN we do? Often times, when our community faces a tragedy or adversity, we band together. The next four years could prove to be a walk in the park. Maybe, there’s nothing at all to worry about. However, if the past has taught us anything, it is there is power in numbers. If you see someone being abused, verbally or physically that is a member of the gay community, it is up to you to help. We must remain vigilant in staying strong together. There may be a time in the near future when your state decides to put an end to same-sex marriage. Let’s not take defeat lying down. Write to your local government officials, protest and march for your brothers and sisters who don’t have a voice and make yourself heard in your own community. The only way to “Make America Great Again”, is to make sure we still have a place in it.
In the past two years since campaigning for the Presidency began, we’ve seen both progress and regression in many ways. The LGBT community has come a long way with nation-wide legality of same-sex marriage, however many fear that Trump’s new administration will soon take those rights away. From transgender bathroom laws to the rise in crimes against the LGBT community, can we really feel safe for the next four years? There are plenty of Trump supporters in the gay community and for most of us, it’s a baffling concept. Going beyond the fact that some people just really didn’t like Hillary Clinton and others are staunch republicans, it begs the question: What do these folks still supporting the POTUS and his cabinet expect to see in the area of improvement for LGBT lifestyles? Are they holding on to hope? Or is it a blind faith that the promises made to our community will be kept?
Two major issues concerning those of us who are not certain the current presidential administration will keep the LGBT community safe are the transgender bathroom laws and gay marriage laws. Let’s tackle the first. Transgendered individuals lead very confusing and sometimes heartbreaking lives. If they aren’t accepted by their families and friends, it can lead to isolation, severe depression and often times suicide. On top of that, one in two transgender people are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives Source. To me, it sounds like we should be protecting these individuals, not putting their lives at more risk than they already are. So ask the question, if the men in Trump’s administration won’t even help female rape victims or women seeking refuge at places like Planned Parenthood, why would they help some of the most preyed upon people in our nation?
Speaking of our nation, how proud were we when it was decided that same-sex marriage would be legal throughout the United States? Women and men who had lived in the shadows, secretly together for years, some even half a century, were now granted the right to marry the person they loved. There now, more than ever, is a possibility that all of that happiness, the togetherness that we all felt after that victory, will soon come to an end. Mike Pence, our current Vice President, has never been afraid to vocalize how he feels about same-sex marriage and because of this, we fear regression. Accusations that Pence would try to use conversion therapy is a scary concept that could, but hopefully never would, turn into a harsh reality. Couples all over the nation are getting married quickly for fear that this may be the last chance they have if our administration decides to make same-sex marriage illegal once more. If you were thinking about asking your partner for their hand, I would, and fast.
So what do we do? The real question is what CAN we do? Often times, when our community faces a tragedy or adversity, we band together. The next four years could prove to be a walk in the park. Maybe, there’s nothing at all to worry about. However, if the past has taught us anything, it is there is power in numbers. If you see
someone being abused, verbally or physically that is a member of the gay community, it is up to you to help. We must remain vigilant in staying strong together. There may be a time in the near future when your state decides to put an end to same-sex marriage. Let’s not take defeat lying down. Write to your local government officials, protest and march for your brothers and sisters who don’t have a voice and make yourself heard in your own community. The only way to “Make America Great Again”, is to make sure we still have a place in it.
Two major issues concerning those of us who are not certain the current presidential administration will keep the LGBT community safe are the transgender bathroom laws and gay marriage laws. Let’s tackle the first. Transgendered individuals lead very confusing and sometimes heartbreaking lives. If they aren’t accepted by their families and friends, it can lead to isolation, severe depression and often times suicide. On top of that, one in two transgender people are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives Source. To me, it sounds like we should be protecting these individuals, not putting their lives at more risk than they already are. So ask the question, if the men in Trump’s administration won’t even help female rape victims or women seeking refuge at places like Planned Parenthood, why would they help some of the most preyed upon people in our nation?
Speaking of our nation, how proud were we when it was decided that same-sex marriage would be legal throughout the United States? Women and men who had lived in the shadows, secretly together for years, some even half a century, were now granted the right to marry the person they loved. There now, more than ever, is a possibility that all of that happiness, the togetherness that we all felt after that victory, will soon come to an end. Mike Pence, our current Vice President, has never been afraid to vocalize how he feels about same-sex marriage and because of this, we fear regression. Accusations that Pence would try to use conversion therapy is a scary concept that could, but hopefully never would, turn into a harsh reality. Couples all over the nation are getting married quickly for fear that this may be the last chance they have if our administration decides to make same-sex marriage illegal once more. If you were thinking about asking your partner for their hand, I would, and fast.
So what do we do? The real question is what CAN we do? Often times, when our community faces a tragedy or adversity, we band together. The next four years could prove to be a walk in the park. Maybe, there’s nothing at all to worry about. However, if the past has taught us anything, it is there is power in numbers. If you see
someone being abused, verbally or physically that is a member of the gay community, it is up to you to help. We must remain vigilant in staying strong together. There may be a time in the near future when your state decides to put an end to same-sex marriage. Let’s not take defeat lying down. Write to your local government officials, protest and march for your brothers and sisters who don’t have a voice and make yourself heard in your own community. The only way to “Make America Great Again”, is to make sure we still have a place in it.