This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, January 19, 2025
By Emerald Shaab ’25
President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated Monday as the country’s 47th president, will severely and negatively impact the LGBTQ+ community for the next four years. This view is based both on his past actions and the policies he’s planning to implement.
Some actions and policies include limiting access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals using Medicare and Medicaid and eroding the protections from discrimination that currently exist for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Trump’s history of making it more difficult for transgender individuals to receive gender-affirming care is well-documented.
In a May 2024 Forbes article, Sara Dorn wrote: “Trump said he would block doctors who provide gender-affirming care from Medicare and Medicaid, forbid federal agencies from actions to ‘promote the concept of sex and gender transition at any age.’ ”
A November article by the BU Today staff at Boston University stated that Trump “promised to pursue multiple anti-LGBTQIA+ policies if elected, such as eliminating federal funding for any hospital that offers gender-affirming care to minors and requiring federal agencies to twilight programs that promote gender transition.”
There is also mention of Trump potentially limiting other medical procedures, such as in vitro fertilization, which would affect both the LGBTQ+ community and those with fertility issues.
A November article by Melissa Cruz of the Savannah (Georgia) Morning News stated: “The future of IVF — caught up in a right-wing crusade against abortion — is uncertain at best under a second Trump presidency.” Although this is speculation, it could very well end up coming true because of the continuing movement from some on the right to end abortion access.
There is further evidence of LGBTQ+ discrimination in Trump’s plans to remove anti-discrimination laws that protect gay and transgender individuals who are seeking jobs and promotions. Trump has opposed laws supporting same-sex marriage and opposes the Equality Act, which would cover civil rights for LGBTQ+ people.
Upon hearing about Trump’s plans and statements, those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are angry, disappointed and scared about what the next four years will bring.
Although many Americans believe that Trump will improve the United States by fixing the economy and addressing other issues, I firmly believe that having Trump as our 47th president will bring detrimental challenges for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Given his previous discriminatory stances, do we really think he will be different this time?
As President, Trump will Negatively Affect LGBTQ+ Community
This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, January 19, 2025
By Emerald Shaab ’25
President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated Monday as the country’s 47th president, will severely and negatively impact the LGBTQ+ community for the next four years. This view is based both on his past actions and the policies he’s planning to implement.
Some actions and policies include limiting access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals using Medicare and Medicaid and eroding the protections from discrimination that currently exist for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Trump’s history of making it more difficult for transgender individuals to receive gender-affirming care is well-documented.
In a May 2024 Forbes article, Sara Dorn wrote: “Trump said he would block doctors who provide gender-affirming care from Medicare and Medicaid, forbid federal agencies from actions to ‘promote the concept of sex and gender transition at any age.’ ”
A November article by the BU Today staff at Boston University stated that Trump “promised to pursue multiple anti-LGBTQIA+ policies if elected, such as eliminating federal funding for any hospital that offers gender-affirming care to minors and requiring federal agencies to twilight programs that promote gender transition.”
There is also mention of Trump potentially limiting other medical procedures, such as in vitro fertilization, which would affect both the LGBTQ+ community and those with fertility issues.
A November article by Melissa Cruz of the Savannah (Georgia) Morning News stated: “The future of IVF — caught up in a right-wing crusade against abortion — is uncertain at best under a second Trump presidency.” Although this is speculation, it could very well end up coming true because of the continuing movement from some on the right to end abortion access.
There is further evidence of LGBTQ+ discrimination in Trump’s plans to remove anti-discrimination laws that protect gay and transgender individuals who are seeking jobs and promotions. Trump has opposed laws supporting same-sex marriage and opposes the Equality Act, which would cover civil rights for LGBTQ+ people.
Upon hearing about Trump’s plans and statements, those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are angry, disappointed and scared about what the next four years will bring.
Although many Americans believe that Trump will improve the United States by fixing the economy and addressing other issues, I firmly believe that having Trump as our 47th president will bring detrimental challenges for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Given his previous discriminatory stances, do we really think he will be different this time?
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/05/10/trump-promises-rollback-on-trans-rights-heres-what-hes-said/?scrlybrkr=aba4431a
https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/13/future-of-ivf-under-second-trump-administration/76206386007/