Trump cannot stop trans joy

By Jay Roberson

For transgender youths, since Jan. 20, opening up the news every morning feels like reopening an old wound. This was a feeling I never thought I would have to worry about, as I witnessed federal government websites remove the TQIA+ from LGBTQIA+ a week into a new administration. 

Only about 20 minutes into his new presidency, Donald Trump declared a war on transgender individuals. 

Trump stated, “Today it will be henceforth the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

Since then, he has made sure to suspend passport applicants using the gender mark “X” to ensure that “M,” biological male, and “F,” biological female, are the only markers. 

The government has even gone as far as mailing transgender individuals a new passport with a gender marker that “matched their records,” according to trans social media influencer Zaya Perysian. While all of Perysian’s legal documents state she is a female, her new passport mailed to her identifies her sex as male. 

Since his inauguration, Trump has signed executive orders that claim, “…my Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.”

I fall somewhere between what people would call man and woman. I am the gender that threatens the man in power. 

Trump has even gone as far as claiming that sex is assigned at conception, but at conception, embryos have both female X and male Y chromosomes. In this case, we would all be intersex because at conception embryos do not have an assigned gender.  

Feeling so afraid of the idea of a third gender, or even more, caused Trump to make a claim that contradicts exactly what he has been trying to get rid of. This is not because he truly cares about gender and “defending” women, but because he is afraid of the unknown.

The unknown beauty in dressing masculine for the first time and experimenting with gender. The unknown joy of putting on makeup, looking at yourself in the mirror and finally seeing yourself reflecting back. The unknown community you gain in the never ending journey of self expression. 

Trans youths are here, but they are fighting extra hard to stay. According to a 2024 survey done by The Trevor Project, “39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered committing suicide in the past year – including 46% of transgender and non-binary people.” Another survey by The Trevor Project claimed that 90% of LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health was affected by recent politics. 

The truth is, as scared as the LGBTQIA+ community is right now, we have to remain strong and stay visible. No matter how hard the new administration tries to hide and erase us, they do not have the power to take away queer and trans joy. 

To remain a true ally to the trans community, it’s important to remain committed to staying informed and protecting us. Say our names, use our pronouns and use your power as a cisgender person to remind others the trans community is not going away just because our government says so. 

Have uncomfortable conversations. Correct someone who is misgendering a friend. Avoid the companies that do not prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion. Read a book written by a trans person. Check in on your trans friends because we truly need it in a time like this.

Most importantly, for my trans friends, use this time to build and connect with your community. We are invisible to the government, but we all see one another. As long as we exist, they can not take away our voices and experiences if we do not give them the power. 

The Trevor Project provides counseling services to queer youth. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

Rider’s Counseling Center is located in Zoerner House near the south entrance of campus and is available for free mental health support.

Jay Roberson is a senior English and secondary education major