Amidst the political shifts following Donald Trump’s election victory, students and community members at the University of Pittsburgh are grappling with the implications for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Concerns are rising about potential changes in transgender rights and protections.
Ze’mer Parr, a communications assistant at Rainbow Alliance at Pitt, voiced a fear shared by many, stating, “I’d rather not become illegal in the eyes of the United States government.” The anxiety stems from the Trump campaign’s significant investment of over $21 million in anti-trans advertisements and the promise to roll back protections for transgender individuals, including banning gender-affirming care.
Parr, a junior studying digital narrative and interactive design, expressed feeling “numb” following the election results on November 5. The possibility of Project 2025, which seeks to reduce federal protections for transgender individuals and reinstate bans on transgender military service, contributes to this unease. Parr described the potential implementation of Project 2025 as “very terrifying.”
Emma Moran, president of Out in STEM, shared similar concerns. As the electoral college leaned Republican, Moran, who identifies as agender, experienced a growing sense of dread. Despite initial despair, Moran emphasized the resilience of the trans community, stating, “We get through it together. Let’s put our energy towards our community and helping each other.”
In response to the election results, Mak Blough, a senior psychology student and social media manager for Out in STEM, compiled a comprehensive list of resources for those affected. This list, shared via the club’s Instagram, includes mental health and crisis support services tailored for the LGBTQ+ community. Blough, who is focused on supporting mental health within the community, highlighted the alarming spike in suicide rates and mental health crisis calls, which have surged by 700% since Election Day.
Dena Stanley, co-founder of TransYOUniting, reported an overwhelming response from the community, marked by fear and uncertainty. Concerns include potential loss of insurance and rights to name changes, reflecting the broader anxiety about future policies under Trump’s administration.
Stanley, speaking from her experiences within the trans community, stressed the importance of solidarity, saying, “We’ve been here, we’ve been surviving and we’re going to continue to survive. Find community, because we’re going to need it.” The overarching sentiment among these students and leaders is one of wary preparedness, as they brace for the potential impact on transgender healthcare and safety nationwide.
Moran, reflecting on the uncertain future, said, “I think the hard part right now is … we don’t know how far it’s going to go. We’re preparing for the worst and praying to any god that might be up there that it will never get that bad.”
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