His inauguration speech spells a dark four years for LGBTQIA Americans
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY FLICKR
Yesterday (20 January) marked the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency as the Republican leader pledged the oath of office and was sworn in. During his inauguration speech, the new president took the opportunity to attack the trans and non-binary community, stating there are only two genders.
On his first day, Trump made a series of immediate policy changes and executive orders. He said the policy his government will use will maintain that the only genders are male and female. “I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life,” said the President.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
The words come as no great surprise. Trump’s campaign heavily attacked the LGBTQIA community, particularly trans and non-binary people. He has consistently likened gender-affirming care for under-18s to “child abuse”, pledged to reverse the ban on preventing trans students from seeking single-sex spaces that align with their gender identity, and said he will cut the funding for schools pushing a “gender ideology”.
GLAAD’s president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, said in a statement: “LGBTQ people are in all states, communities, families and workplaces, and leaders should include and protect us with the fundamental freedoms all Americans enjoy.”
“On the day of the inauguration – which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a celebration of one of our country’s most relentless civil rights heroes – we seek comfort in the long history of the fight for liberty and justice in America.”
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, also issued a statement, addressed to the LGBTQIA community. “You are not alone. You are loved. And you have millions of people fighting for you to lead the healthy, safe and long life that you deserve.”
Trump’s inauguration comes after thousands flocked to Washington DC, to march in protest of his administration. He is the only convicted criminal to be elected president.
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