What have the first 100 days of Trump been like in the LGBTQ South?

Tomorrow marks the 100th day of the Trump administration, and we have already seen a whirlwind of discriminatory bills crop up at the state level, a number of individuals with anti-LGBTQ records appointed to office, and a sentiment of uneasiness spreading through our communities. Over the next two weeks, CSE staff will tell their stories of what these first 100 days have been like on the ground and what they are hopeful about moving forward.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director
One feature of the First 100 Days has been a degree of chaos. In February, for example, it appeared imminent that the White House was going to sign an executive order allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people. Then at the last minute, they didn’t. But the drafted executive order still sits there and we stand here, ready.

This is a difficult period and for so many, a frightening one. But every time I see a community attacked or threatened, I also see us standing up in greater number. I hear a new story of bravery – a trans community college student in a rural NC county fights for his right to use the appropriate restroom, a community coming together to support a youth at risk for deportation, the hundreds of thousands who have rallied at airports and in the streets to make clear that resistance and love are alive in America. This is what’s keeping me going right now.

Chloe Stuber, Hometown Organizing Project Director
It is no new statement to say that Trans folks are resilient. In these first 100 days I have witnessed this especially in the participants of our Trans Leadership Initiative (TLI). Every time I get the opportunity to share time with them and hear about their work, I continue to be humbled by how unshaken they are – this adversity is nothing new.  TLI leaders continue to fight – and make steady progress – to provide shelter for their homeless trans siblings, host legal clinics, change hearts and minds in their faith communities, fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and provide critical information and resources that help to keep their trans siblings safe and healthy.

Ivy Hill, LGBTQ Rights Toolkit Coordinator
Much of my work with our Toolkit programing since the election has been centered around direct services pop-up clinics. But the series of clinics we’re running right now feels more important than any we’ve done before.

We’re traveling across the South running free Protect Yourself Clinics organized by and for trans people. The clinics feature a basic self defense course, HIV testing, personal safety planning, training in how to install and use safety apps on your phone, and practice using pepper spray.

This feels particularly important because trans people, and more specifically trans women of color, are under attack in our country. I could write about the devastating effects of transphobia, misogyny, racism, and violence on our community at length, but it would do nothing to help the next trans person who is attacked. Conversely, this basic self defense knowledge, and pepper spray may give them enough time to get away, and save their lives.

So, dearest Chay Reed, Alphonza Watson, Jaquarrius Holland, Chyna Gibson, Ciara McElveen, Mesha Caldwell, Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, Keke Collier, Jojo Striker, and all those who have been misgendered and misnamed in death: We will honor your memory by working to empower trans people with tools for staying safe, and to keep our people alive.

Lindsey Wilson, Director of Engagement and Operations
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have seen public engagement in the political process like we haven’t seen in decades. Millions of Americans took to the streets in places ranging from our nation’s Capital to small towns in deeply red states. The message of these marches, rallies, and meetings has been inspiring and uniting – saying what happens to any of us happens to all of us. That people of color, women, trans folks, LGBTQ people, and immigrants will stand shoulder to shoulder and fight these regressive policies. That we will have each other’s back.

Fletcher Page, LGBTQ Rights Navigator
The world changed on November 8, 2016, no doubt about that. In the weeks following, we saw hate seemingly emblazoned by this election, with Jewish Community Centers being attacked and threatened, LGBTQ Centers being vandalized, folks being attacked for just existing…the list goes on.

Traveling the South and meeting other members of the trans and LGBQ community has been an incredible reminder of the resiliency and power of this community. From Gulfport, Mississippi to Henderson, North Carolina, I have been shown just how deep our roots go and just how big and bold our community is, stretching across intersections of identity.

No matter what happens at 1600 Pennsylvania, I believe with every fiber of my being that trans and LGBQ folks in the South can and will make it through.

The Alabama religious freedom bill that would allow adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ couples moved forward Tuesday as it was approved by the legislature. The bill has not yet been approved by the governor, which is required for it to become law.

Democrats in Congress are making another attempt to pass legislation to ban conversion therapy at the federal level. A similar bill was proposed last year and went without a hearing. Democrats are still in the minority in Congress, but continuing to work to end these harmful practices is an encouraging sign.

In North Carolina, where Republicans also control the state legislature, a Republican judge, Douglas McCullough resigned this week in response to attempts to shrink the number of judges in the Court of Appeals and further limit Gov. Roy Cooper’s power. Cooper swiftly replaced McCullough with Democrat John Arrowood, who is openly gay.

Also in North Carolina, the state is considering ending a policy that allows 16 and 17 year olds to be tried as adults. When New York ended this practice last week, N.C. became the only state with these kinds of policies in place. With recent reports showing the disproportionate amount of LGBTQ youth in the criminal justice system and worse outcomes for teens in adult prisons, these changes would likely have a huge positive impact.

Unlike almost every other Southern state, Louisiana has no anti-LGBTQ legislation up for debate this session. With Gov. John Bel Edwards’ positive record on LGBTQ rights, it seems conservative lobbying groups doubted these bills would make it through. And the NBA’s decision to relocate its All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans following HB 2 may have also played a role.

Charlotte Pride has unveiled a new scholarship program to help LGBTQ students, as well as kids of LGBTQ families.

Chay Reed, a trans woman from Miami, was killed last week; she is the ninth trans woman of color murdered in 2017.

A fantastic long read from Esquire profiles Rev. Dr. William Barber, civil rights activist and leader of the N.C. NAACP and the Moral Monday movement.

CSE is thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the upcoming webinar “LGBTQ in the South – Telling Your Story with Data,” in partnership with Christy Mallory of the Williams Institute. The Williams Institute is a think tank at UCLA Law that generates independent and relevant research on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This free webinar will take place Thursday, May 18, 2017, 6:00-7:30 PM Eastern Time. Click here to reserve your spot today!

The webinar will provide grassroots leaders with an overview of who LGBTQ Southerners are, the issues they face, and how to find specific data about their local communities using the Williams Institute online resources. CSE’s Communications Director, Aaron Sarver, will also present on how to effectively use data in your communications strategy, and Ivy Gibson-Hill and Fletcher Page with the GenderBenders in Greenville, SC will share new ways they are using data to tell the story of their work to funders and supporters.

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