Press Relations Manager at Advocates for Trans Equality

Many of us have watched with alarm as trans people have been increasingly targeted by extremists – culminating in Donald Trump’s hateful presidential campaign.  Trans people deserve full, authentic, and healthy lives, not to be attacked by anti-trans politicians who are trying to distract and divide us. 

Now, we are entering a new chapter of resistance, and we are ready. Having already lived through a Trump presidency, we know firsthand the devastating impact a second term could have on our rights, our safety, and our future. Many in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans people and their families, are understandably feeling fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

However, we want to make it clear: you are not alone. We are in this together. As a community, we stand united in this fight. Earlier this year, two trans-led organizations, the National Center for Trans Equality and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, merged to form Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), a unified force dedicated to building the power, strength, and resilience we need for the long haul. 

Our vision for an inclusive and hopeful future for all trans people is unwavering. The pursuit of equality will continue. No matter the obstacles we face, we will care for each other.

Our team of experts is working hard to protect our trans community, and we’re in close communication with our allies in Congress and state legislatures across the country. Allied politicians who stand with us are deeply committed to upholding human dignity, ensuring equitable healthcare access, and fighting against discrimination. They understand that the trans community deserves the same rights as everyone else, and that access to gender-affirming care, supported by strong legal protections, is essential for the well-being and safety of trans individuals.

In times like these, it’s crucial to acknowledge that grief and stress affect everyone differently. Some may need time to step back and process; others may throw themselves into work to regain a sense of control. Some may experience both. All of these reactions are valid. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on where you are and check in with yourself. Above all, we urge patience, empathy, and kindness — both toward yourself and others. Grief is a process, and it’s okay to feel anger, fear, or sadness. There is no rush to find “closure” or make big decisions.

But even in the face of difficulty, it is essential to remember our wins. This year, Sarah McBride (D-DE) made history as the first openly trans member of Congress. Emma Curtis, an A4TE-endorsed candidate, became the first openly trans elected official in Kentucky when voters selected her for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Out lesbian Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) secured re-election to the Senate. For the first time, two Black women — Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) — will serve together in the Senate. In New York, Prop 1 passed, enshrining gender identity and sexual orientation protections along with abortion rights. And across several states — including Arizona, Missouri, and Montana — abortion rights have been enshrined in state constitutions.

These victories are proof that even in the face of challenges, we are part of a movement that is growing stronger, more united, and more determined. This is why A4TE merged: to build the power necessary to weather storms like this one. We’ve prepared for this possibility. We’ve developed contingency plans. We will adapt our programs as needed, and we will continue our work with renewed urgency.

As we look to the future, we also recognize the ongoing battle we face. Anti-trans politicians continue to push harmful, unfounded rhetoric about our community. This rhetoric is both completely false and very dangerous. Transition-related healthcare has been studied for over four decades and is supported by every leading medical association. And the research is clear: the harmful narratives being pushed are taking a direct toll on the physical, mental, and emotional health of trans people.

By targeting the trans community and denying us the right to live safe, healthy, and authentic lives, these politicians are distracting from the real issues facing all Americans — issues like underfunded schools, rising costs of living, and the climate crisis. Every person, including trans people, deserves the opportunity to live authentically, to be healthy, and to be supported in their identity.

Our mission has never been more vital. Not only for trans people but for the broader LGBTQ+ community. The stakes are higher than ever before. We will fight. We will organize, testify, march, and protect each other. We’ve faced repression before when regressive forces tried to control us. But each generation has fought back — and now, it’s our turn to pick up the baton. We will stand firm for our freedoms, for our families, and for our futures.

The arc of history is long, and a second Trump presidency is just one chapter in that story. It is not the whole book. Together, we will continue to write the next chapters, and we will ensure that the future we create is one of equality, safety, and justice for all.