Sarah McBride, U.S. Representative from Delaware

The Trump Administration has gone after transgender people with a series of executive orders and rescinding of existing executive orders. The distinction in sex is male or female. There no longer is any gender identity or non-conforming gender expression. These orders are similar to the infamous North Carolina law of a decade ago, and they introduce restrictions on the use of public bathrooms. Public records must be changed to follow the new policies, and transgender people cannot be employed in government positions. This raises an issue of the sole transgender person serving in the U.S. Congress.

LGBTQ+ people no longer can claim discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations. These orders do not address the issue of whether lesbian or gay employees will be fired from public employment, but that is likely to come up soon. Employment in the military will be a separate Issue. Same sex marriage likely will be on the agenda even though it has been approved by the Supreme Court. Because we do not conform to the new definition of sex, our legal status probably will be changed. It also would require a reversal of a Supreme Court ruling to declare that gay/lesbian sex is a crime.

A document called "Project 2025" developed by the Heritage Foundation in 2024 proposed a wide range of changes in government, federal regulations, and federal cabinet departments. It may become the new Bible of Federal regulations and legislation.

Speaking of the Bible, you know, it’s strange how Jesus talked about divorce and never once mentioned us gay people. Yes, Paul went on a diatribe, but he was mad at the Romans and all the big orgies they had.

The acronym LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) may overnight disappear from all federal documents. Similarly, DEI (Diversity, Education, and Inclusion) may be wiped out.

Since government usually proceeds at a snail’s pace, it is hard to assume that anything will change that quickly. Whatever phrases you can use to describe the community, we simply will not disappear from public view. We’re not going back in the closet regardless of what the Feds may say.

It appears that the infamous “bathroom bill” that cost North Carolina millions in business and tourist dollars is about to be repeated in the Congress. The incoming administration already has announced that transgender and gender fluid people will have a target on their back.

The culture wars seem to have a particular obsession with the MAGA folks. The Republicans included gender issues as part of their 2024 campaign strategy. Considering that only about 1.4% of Americans identify as transgender, the controversy seems way out of proportion. The public seems to support protection against hate crimes and discrimination in employment, but they are concerned about athletics, bathrooms, and women’s prisons. The real hot button issue seems to be surgery and/or hormone treatment for children under the age of 18. Unfortunately, those who wait until later have a more difficult process of transitioning after they already have established a gender identity.