Today, a familiar feeling settles in as we wake up to the reality of a second term for Donald Trump. Some may feel joy and relief, while others may feel fear and disappointment; these are natural reactions, and they remind us of just how deeply we care about the future of our country and our communities. For half of the country, many in the LGBTQ+ community, this outcome hits hard, stirring a deep, visceral response that feels like a collective wound. The weight of this decision impacts every member of our LGBTQ+ community, every ally, every person who hoped for a different future. We are reminded that change is rarely straightforward.
We have been here before.
The LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges before, and we know how to weather the storms…how to survive them. As I wrote years ago after another difficult election, “I promise to continue showing up. I promise to continue standing up. I promise to never be silenced.” This promise holds true today. In the coming days, we must transform sadness into resilience, despair into action, and fear into a renewed commitment to fight for equality, justice, and liberation.
We must continue to show up.
Our country is greater than any one individual, and it’s our collective selves that sustain it. This outcome only strengthens our resolve to advocate for a future where all voices are valued, and no one’s rights are negotiable. Let’s continue to show up for each other and to hold those in power accountable.
Together, we must show up and carry forward the legacy of those who fought before us, and we build a future that honors their sacrifices. We move forward—because we must.
With pride and determination,
Densil
Associated:
- During Election Season, Don’t Forget About Nonprofits Like Stonewall Columbus
- Our Work is Far From Over: Stonewall Manifesto
