Fear and Resilience: The Transgender Community Grapples with a New Political Reality

The 2024 election has left a palpable sense of unease and vulnerability among transgender and nonbinary individuals across the United States. For many, the political climate has shifted from one of cautious optimism to one of heightened anxiety, as the current administration’s policies and rhetoric target the transgender community with increasing frequency and intensity. This article explores the concerns, fears, and resilience of transgender individuals and their allies in the face of these challenges.

Caitlin Cunningham, a nonbinary coffeehouse owner in Missouri, encapsulates the feeling of alienation that many transgender people are experiencing. "I don’t really know the people around me," Cunningham reflects, a sentiment born from the fear that even everyday interactions could be fraught with prejudice and hostility. The thought of being perceived as less than human, or even as a target for persecution, weighs heavily on Cunningham’s mind.

This sense of vulnerability is amplified by the actions and statements of the U.S. government. Jane Haskell, a trans woman and director of collaborations for SAGE, a national organization serving LGBTQ older adults, watched with dismay as President Trump used his State of the Union address to further target gender identity. His celebration of policies that discriminate against transgender individuals, coupled with the "villainizing language" used to describe them, solidified Haskell’s belief that the transgender community is a target under this administration.

Trump’s 2024 campaign was marked by explicit attacks on the transgender community, manifested in TV ads and rallies. These attacks fueled fears that going after the community would be among his immediate priorities, fears that have now been realized.

The administration’s actions have included reviving the ban on transgender people in the military, calling for transgender women prisoners to be housed in men’s facilities, removing references to the community from a national monument, and declaring that the government will only recognize male and female identity on official documents like passports. These measures, while facing legal and logistical hurdles, have already created confusion, anxiety, and disruption in the lives of transgender and nonbinary people.

"A lot of things are changing without people knowing when exactly they’re going into effect," Haskell said, highlighting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the policy changes. She recounted her own experience of being unable to update her gender marker in Florida despite having made the appointment just a week before the policy change.

Allison Scott, director of impact and innovation for the Campaign for Southern Equality, echoed this sentiment, noting that the lack of clear direction accompanying Trump’s executive orders has led to inconsistency and unpredictability. Reports of documents going unreturned and passports unprocessed are becoming increasingly common, further exacerbating the challenges faced by transgender individuals.

The impact of these policies on people’s lives is far-reaching. As Scott, a trans woman undergoing the process of renewing her own passport, points out, these are not merely "throwaway things." The inability to obtain necessary documentation can prevent people from securing employment, traveling for vacation, or visiting family members. The "flippancy" with which these executive orders are being issued demonstrates a profound "lack of humanity," Scott said.

The sense of insecurity extends beyond red states. Some who previously considered blue states to be safe havens now fear that such distinctions may no longer be relevant. Instead, they are turning to each other for support and solace.

Elsa Ruggiero, who operates an LGBTQ-friendly hair salon in north Texas, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the vulnerability of transgender individuals. "On a national level, we’re telling trans people they don’t matter," Ruggiero said. "They’re invisible at best, and targets at worst."

Adam Honigfort, a trans man in east Missouri, expresses the pervasive feeling of unsafety, stating, "I don’t know if there is a place I would feel a hundred percent safe at this point." Financial constraints and the inability to change his gender marker limit Honigfort’s ability to relocate, leaving him feeling trapped and vulnerable.

The data supports these feelings of vulnerability. Research from the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law reveals that transgender people experience violent attacks at a significantly higher rate than the non-LGBT population. The number of incidents has risen since Trump’s election in 2016, raising fears that his reelection could lead to a further escalation of violence.

Cunningham, drawing upon their experience as an educator, has taken additional security measures at their coffeehouse to protect staff and patrons. Advocates emphasize the importance of community building and urge individuals to empower themselves by taking steps to secure their documentation.

Despite the challenges, the transgender community remains resilient and determined. Haskell encourages people to seek perspective from trans elders, who have navigated even more repressive climates. Ruggiero urges community members and allies to resist exhaustion and continue fighting for trans rights.

Honigfort expresses a simple plea: "If you don’t want to respect us, just stay out of our way as much as you can. Let us live our lives."

The current climate has spurred rare levels of community building as people look to find support and discuss ways to push back.

For Cunningham, the urgency of providing a safe space for the LGBTQ community has never been clearer. Despite considering closing their coffeehouse due to financial struggles, Cunningham realized that doing so would be "another win for hate and vitriol." The community’s overwhelming response to their plea for support has reaffirmed the importance of Dandy Lion Café as a hub for community organization and education.

In the face of adversity, the transgender community is finding strength in unity, resilience, and a determination to fight for their rights and their safety. The road ahead may be challenging, but the spirit of resistance and the unwavering support of allies offer a glimmer of hope in these uncertain times.