As LGBTQ+ voters who’ve already lived through a Donald Trump presidency, we are fully aware of the first Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ standpoints, specifically those surrounding transgender rights. And for many transgender Americans, a second Trump presidency could mean devastating legislative and cultural setbacks, such as reversals of civil rights. These may include an executive order to reinstate a military ban on transgender service members, the targeting of antidiscrimination policies that protect transgender students, and the potential rejection of the still-pending Equality Act, which would ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity have the same civil protections as race, ethnicity and other protected characteristics.
In short, the next Trump presidency could further roll back civil liberties for transgender individuals living in the United States.
What’s equally unsettling about this is that in public life, many people who possess hostile views of LGBTQ+ individuals may feel emboldened to act on those attitudes. Being Chinese American and transgender, I’m painfully aware of how unsettling a Trump presidency was and can be.
To help mitigate these shared anxieties and uncertainties, I’ve compiled a list of ways that transgender individuals can find support from legal, health care and community resources. While we can’t predict the next four years, we can stay informed and equip ourselves with the information needed to protect ourselves and our communities.
Use free mental health resources dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals.
A 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that LGBTQ+ adults are likely to experience higher depression rates compared with cisgender and heterosexual adults.
Organizations like the Trans Lifeline and LGBT National Hotline offer phone services that provide mental health support for individuals who are at immediate risk. Also, nonprofits like the New York-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center offer either affordable or free services to queer people in multiple cities.
Find out how you are (or can be) covered for gender-affirming medical care.
Though transgender and gender-affirming care has become more widely covered by public and private insurance policies in recent years, the policies themselves are often still convoluted and challenging to navigate. The Gender Confirmation Center has compiled how-to lists that break down major insurance groups covering gender-affirming care, ways to get coverage, and more.
Familiarize yourself with your rights in the workplace.
With the next Trump administration’s potential targeting of civil protections, transgender individuals need to be aware of their legal rights in the workplace. Organizations such as Lambda Legal and the Transgender Law Center offer free information that can help you understand how to address discriminatory workplace incidents. (These two groups offer general resources on their websites, not individualized legal advice for every member of the public.)
Let your family and loved ones know how to support you better.
While family members often mean well, a lack of information surrounding transgender issues can lead to tension. And a solid support system is integral to our health and well-being.
Digital resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s resource guide for practitioners and the Child Welfare Information Gateway are excellent starting points to discuss how people with transgender family members can better support each other.
Be aware of your housing rights.
For transgender individuals, knowing your housing rights is critical. Advocates for Trans Equality, a merger of the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, has a guide that covers everything from different types of housing discrimination to guidance on filing a complaint.
Educate your nonfamily allies on how to be better advocates.
Community-to-community support is terrific, but having allies’ support en masse can move mountains. GLAAD has a comprehensive guide for educating cisgender individuals on the language surrounding transgender issues, what to ask and not ask a transgender person, and more. If loved ones want to support you but need help with how, direct them to this guide and communicate the needs you require.
Become your own best medical advocate.
Not all transgender individuals may undergo medical transition, but for those who desire to do so, knowing where to start can be difficult. And with the next U.S. administration’s hostility toward transgender individuals already apparent, it may be difficult to access relevant health resources. Organizations like New York City’s Callen-Lorde offer breakdowns of various medical procedures that transgender patients may want to educate themselves on, which could be critical in better pinpointing gender-affirming medical practitioners.