For decades, the United States has been a global leader in civil rights, proving that true strength comes from inclusion. From the Stonewall riots in 1969 to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, the fight for LGBTQ rights has been long and hard-fought. But now, those hard-won freedoms are under attack. The current administration is rolling back protections for transgender Americans, censoring books, and restricting healthcare access—all in the name of political ideology.
What does it mean when the government actively removes rights from a group of people? It means history is repeating itself. It means we are heading down a path where exclusion, not freedom, becomes the standard.
The Reality of Losing Rights
When trans people lose access to healthcare, it’s not just a political issue—it’s a matter of life and death. Policies restricting gender-affirming care ignore decades of medical research that show these treatments reduce suicide rates, improve mental health, and save lives. The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization all support gender-affirming care as essential healthcare. Yet, politicians—not doctors—are making medical decisions for trans youth and adults.
Book bans targeting LGBTQ topics have also surged, with schools and libraries forced to remove literature that acknowledges trans and queer identities. Censorship doesn’t just erase LGBTQ stories; it tells an entire community that their existence is inappropriate. History shows us that banning books is never about protecting children but controlling what people can know and believe.
Pride events, once a celebration of resilience, are now being shut down or restricted in several states. What message does this send? That visibility is dangerous? That existing openly as an LGBTQ person is controversial? This is a deliberate effort to push LGBTQ people back into the shadows.
What Happens Next?
If these policies continue unchecked, the consequences will be severe and long-lasting. Removing healthcare access for trans people will lead to worsening health outcomes and increased suicide rates. Book bans will create a generation of students with a limited understanding of history and identity. The suppression of LGBTQ spaces will make it harder for people to live safely and openly.
But this fight isn’t just about LGBTQ rights. History teaches us that when one group’s rights are taken away, others will soon follow. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” If we allow the government to strip away the rights of trans people today, whose rights will be next?
What Can You Do?
We cannot be silent. The government works for the people, and we must remind them that equality is not negotiable. You can take action today by writing to your elected officials urging them to protect LGBTQ and transgender rights.
- Use Resist.bot to send a letter directly from your phone.
- Sign the petition and send this letter to your reps: Resist.bot: Defend Trans Rights.
- Contact your representatives using Democracy.io.
Harvey Milk once said, “Hope will never be silent.” Now is not the time for silence. Now is the time to demand justice, to fight for inclusion, and to ensure that America stands for all of us—not just a select few. A nation that stands for all is a nation that leads.