Written by Sarya Gulec
In recent years, LGBTQ+ rights in America have witnessed both significant progress and growing challenges. Whereas steps such as marriage equality and workplace equality have paved the way for bigger acceptance, recent policy shifts have raised concern about the future of these rights. Especially the legislative efforts targeting transgender people, rollbacks of diversity and inclusion, and ongoing legal battles affect not only the lives of millions of citizens but also the nation’s determination for human rights equality.
Big steps have been taken toward equality in the last few decades, such as legalizing same-sex marriage on June 26th, 2015. In 2004, only one state accepted homosexual marriage. With the Supreme Court's decision, marriage equality has become the law in all 50 states.
Another revolution was the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 1993, signed by President Clinton (consisting of statutes, regulations, and policy memoranda), directing that military personnel don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue, and don’t harass, helps gay citizens serve in the military. In 2008, by the 15th annıversary of the law, 12,000 officers had been discharged from the military for refusing to hide their homosexuality. When Barack Obama campaigned for the presidency in 2008, he pledged to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military (a stance that was, according to public opinion polls, backed by a large majority of the public)(1).
DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) is a term that references policies encouraging the representation and participation of diverse communities in the workplace. The program aims for everyone to receive the same opportunities and benefits regardless of their background, especially for groups affected by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia.
Trump and his allies say DEI unfairly discriminates against other Americans, including white people and men, and weakens the importance of merit in job hiring or promotion(4).
While some of his allies and supporters have celebrated his orders, they have been criticized by advocacy groups and organizations, stating that they may harm the equality battle and undo the progress achieved so far.
As for the effects on the LGBTQ+ community, policy shifts might lead to increased challenges such as reduced workplace protections, fewer inclusive educational programs, limited access to supportive resources, and decreased representation of LGBTQ+ members in workplaces.
President Trump signed an executive order on February 5, banning transgender women athletes from attending women’s sports. The order establishes stricter mandates on sports and gender policy, directing federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, to interpret federal Title IX rules as the prohibition of transgender girls and women from participating in any female sports categories. The order is titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump said on Wednesday. The timing of the order coincided with National Girls and Women in Sports Day(5).
Last month, Trump signed an order called “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”, instructing the federal government to remove “all radical gender ideology guidance, communication, policies, and forms”.
Another executive order was also signed by Trump last week, prohibiting gender transition for people under 19, including gender-affirming care, such as puberty blockers, the use of hormones such as estrogen or testosterone, and surgical procedures.
Likewise, prisons have also isolated transgender women in custody, telling them that they will be transferred to men’s prisons after losing access to gender-affirming healthcare.
President Trump has also signed an order aimed at eliminating what he called “gender radicalism in the military.” The order is widely expected to result in a prohibition. The order specifically said that adopting a gender different than one’s biological sex “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.”
Since taking office on January 20, Donald Trump has made some very controversial changes affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Both individuals and organizations have criticized these policies, arguing that they threaten hard-won rights and protections. The rollback of DEI initiatives, restrictions on transgender military service, and other policy shifts have raised concerns about increased discrimination and reduced opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals and human rights. As debates continue, the future of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. remains uncertain, with advocacy groups pushing back against these changes and urging for policies that promote inclusivity and equality.
References:
Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT). (2009, August 11). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell
Gay Rights Movement | Definition & history. (1998, July 20). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/gay-rights-movement
The journey to marriage equality in the United States - HRC. (n.d.). Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/our-work/stories/the-journey-to-marriage-equality-in-the-united-states
Sherratt, M. (2025, February 5). What is DEI? The initiative that has become the ire of Trump and Republicans. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/dei-trump-republicans-what-why-diversity-b2692997.html
Trump signs executive order banning trans athletes from women’s sports. (2025, February 5). the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/05/trump-trans-athletes-ban
Trump signs executive order to curtail gender transition for people under 19. (2025, January 28). the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/28/trump-executive-order-transgender-transition
Comments