LGBTQ+ Elected Officials and Advocates Stand United to Defend and Safeguard LGBTQ+ Rights Following Trump’s Reelection

By californialgbt | November 7, 2024

Dear partner,

We know that Trump’s reelection brings tremendous fear and anxiety to LGBTQ+ people and their families in California and across the country. A second Trump administration undoubtedly poses significant threats to the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender people, targeting our fundamental rights with hateful and regressive policies such as those outlined in Project 2025. We want you to know that LGBTQ+ and allied organizations, together with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, have been preparing for this moment and we stand ready to partner with all of you to defend and safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of LGBTQ+ people.

During his first term, President Trump systematically weakened protections for LGBTQ+ people across education, employment, health care, housing, immigration, and more. Based on his own campaign promises — and the detailed policy proposals of Project 2025 — we can expect the second Trump administration to continue its vile attacks against LGBTQ+ people, including efforts to undermine and eliminate nondiscrimination protections, restrict access to medically necessary care for transgender people, create a hostile learning environment for LGBTQ+ students and educators, and make it harder for LGBTQ+ people to create and support their families. Trump’s presidency threatens a profound reversal of the progress achieved under the Biden-Harris administration, and we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to fight back against these heinous efforts to weaponize the federal government against the LGBTQ+ community.

California has already enacted some of the strongest laws in the nation to help protect LGBTQ+ people from the damaging effects of a second Trump administration. Numerous California laws will continue to require schools to provide LGBTQ+ students with a safe and supportive learning environment, including supporting the rights of transgender youth to safely be themselves at school, participate in youth sports, and access school facilities consistent with their gender identity. California has also enacted comprehensive protections for transgender people to access medically necessary health care, including legal protections for themselves and their families when traveling to California from a state that criminalizes gender-affirming care. We stand ready to mobilize our supporters and work in close coordination with California’s vast network of LGBTQ+ and allied organizations to enhance these protections and defend them against the dangerous policies of a second Trump administration. 

Additionally, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, Equality California will host its annual Fair Share for Equality convening of LGBTQ+ leaders and allies from across the state to discuss the 2024 election results, identify threats and opportunities facing the LGBTQ+ community, and help to inform legislative and budget priorities in the years ahead. You can register for the event here.

We also recommend these resources as you field questions and concerns from your constituencies:

  • California ACLU affiliates’ My School My Rights, which provides information on the many rights LGBTQ+ students in California have and how to access them
  • California Department of Education’s compilation of information and resources for LGBTQ+ students and their families
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Immigrant Legal Services, which provides legal consultations and assistance 
  • California Civil Rights Department’s CA vs. Hate portal, where community members can report hate incidents and find relevant support resources
  • California Department of Managed Health Care’s information page on Trans-Inclusive Care and Gender-Affirming Care
  • Trevor Project’s hotline, which offers ways for youth experiencing mental health crises to chat, talk, or text with a crisis counselor
  • ACLU of Southern California’s Know Your Rights for Protesters
  • Searchable map of programs and facilities that support LGBTQ+ youth and their families 
  • SAGE’s LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline, which offers LGBTQ+ older people with mental health support and information about local resources
  • California Civil Rights Department’s Complaint Process webpage, which offers information on how to file a complaint if you were subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in a place of employment or housing
  • California Department of Justice’s Public Inquiry Unit, which offers information on the various types of programs and Department contact information
  • California Department of Veterans Affairs’ LGBTQ+ Veterans webpage, which offers resources for LGBTQ+ veterans in California

As this new chapter unfolds, we stand prepared and resolute to defend our rights and protect our communities from hate, discrimination, and violence. We will not let the gains of recent years be erased. The future of equality remains strong and steadfast, and we are here to defend it.

Until the work is done,

ACLU California Action

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

Equality California

Los Angeles LGBT Center

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

The TransLatin@ Coalition

TransFamily Support Services

TransYouth Liberation

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