The holiday season is upon us and with it comes time with friends and family. After a brutal election season, many are anxious about sitting down with relatives who did not back the same candidate. Let’s face it, in the best of years it can be challenging and hard to avoid conflict. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for my transgender friends and colleagues at this time.
Last month the Speaker of the House added a rule that bars transgender people from using bathrooms in the United States Capital. This exclusionary rule is aimed at recently-elected Congresswoman Sarah McBride. This move comes in the midst of a barrage of anti-transgender rhetoric during the campaign. Republicans have used this marginalized group as their scapegoat to stir up the culture wars.
Over the past three years, there have been an unprecedented number of anti-trans bills introduced in state legislatures and at the federal level. This year, 665 bills were introduced which is more than any other year on record. Additionally, 81 bills were introduced in Congress as this backlash has risen to the national level. In the last two years, 132 anti-trans bills passed curtailing transgender access to health care, education, sports, bathrooms, employment, and bans on drag shows.
Family rejection, unemployment, poverty, and a lack of stable housing increase the likelihood someone will face violence. The National Center for Trans Equality found that transgender people are three times as likely to be unemployed as the rest of the United States, and Black transgender women are four times as likely to be unemployed as the general U.S. population. The survey found 1 in 6 transgender people have been fired from a job because of their gender identity, and 1 in 4 Black respondents experienced the same. Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violence, including rape and assault. At least 36 transgender people have died from violence in the last 12 months. A large number of the victims tracked over the past year were young or people of color, with Black transgender women making up half of the 36 identified. The youngest victim identified was 14-year-old Pauly Likens of Pennsylvania.
As we enter 2025, we can expect more attacks on transgender rights both nationally and in states. Project 2025 outlines plans for eliminating protections for LGBTQ people. The document calls for erasing LGBTQ-inclusive language throughout federal agencies such as “the terms sexual orientation and gender identity (“SOGI”), diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights.”
This hostile atmosphere is creating fear, anxiety, and increased risk of suicide within the LGBTQ population. LGBTQ crisis hotlines saw a 700 percent increase since November 6th. The LGBTQ community already experiences higher rates of self-harm and the current climate will exacerbate the threat. The next few years will see more attacks on trans rights and freedoms; allies will be needed to speak up.
As we enter this season of giving and gratitude, let’s take a moment to check in with your LGBTQ friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Your kindness can go a long way towards helping someone. ■