Suzanne King, writing for the Missouri Independent, reports on recent developments in the field of technology.
Election night at BlaqOut in Kansas City not only served as a momentous occasion for the community but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in the organization’s mission to advocate for policy and attitude changes in support of the Black LGBTQ+ community.
As the vote results started pouring in, a sense of urgency began to loom over the atmosphere.
“We must persist in our organizing efforts beyond Election Day,” emphasized D. Rashaan Gilmore, the esteemed founder and CEO of a prominent health and advocacy organization in Kansas City. “It would be far too simple for us to wallow in disappointment and withdraw from the battle. We must remain prepared and steadfast.”
Donald Trump’s election saw a barrage of advertisements that painted transgender individuals as threats, particularly to women’s sports and the well-being of girls and women in general. As he returns to the White House, there is heightened concern about the future of transgender rights. The transgender community is apprehensive about potential restrictions on hormone treatments and the possibility of living under an administration that stigmatizes and marginalizes them.
Colleen Fagan, a psychologist based in the Kansas City area, expresses her concerns about the impact of election propaganda on her transgender adult clients.
The residents of this area have been subjected to political rhetoric from both sides of the state line for years. They have had to endure constant debates about legislation that threatens to strip away their rights. According to Fagan, the influx of political ads during this election season has only further harmed their mental well-being.
She expressed her concerns, “I worry about the loss of hope and the potential increase in suicides.”
Ever since Trump’s victory in the presidential election, there has been a significant increase in calls to mental health helplines from individuals in the LGBTQ community.
According to the Trevor Project, a national organization dedicated to providing mental health services to LGBTQ youth, the hotline experienced a significant increase in traffic on election night, reaching 125% of its normal volume. The organization’s website currently advises users that their text and chat services may have longer wait times as a result of the election.
According to a study released in September, there has been a significant increase of 72% in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth between 2018 and 2022. This alarming trend coincides with the implementation of 48 anti-transgender laws across 19 states, including Missouri and Kansas.
According to journalist Erin Reed, there have been 550 bills introduced in 2023 aimed at limiting transgender rights. In 2024, the number of bills introduced has already reached 586. Reed warns on her website that the threat of federal anti-trans legislation is on the rise.
Laws throughout the country also impose limitations on adults, including regulations regarding the gender indicated on driver’s licenses and the restroom facilities that transgender individuals should utilize.
Fagan expressed concerns on behalf of her clients about the potential for increased restrictions under a Trump administration. Many of them have already started rationing their prescribed hormones out of fear that there may be a ban, even for adults. Additionally, they are worried about the possibility of laws being implemented that could restrict access to necessary surgeries.
Fagan acknowledged the difficulty of finding the right words in such a challenging time. She emphasized the importance of the community coming together and offering support, which she described as a significant and meaningful gesture. In times like these, providing support is the best action one can take.
According to Robert Fischer, a spokesperson for PROMO, an LGBTQ rights organization in Missouri, many trans leaders prefer to take some time before delving into discussions about the presidential election.
In an email, Fischer pondered, “Where do we go from here?”
Gilmore expressed his optimism regarding the advocacy campaign launched by BlaqOut on election night, stating that it serves as a promising beginning. The campaign, titled “Give a F_ck,” urges the LGBT community and its allies to make a pledge to combat discrimination and ignorance while amplifying the voices of those who are often overlooked.
Gilmore acknowledged the presence of despair but emphasized that it is overshadowed by the unwavering determination of community members to fiercely combat the challenges they face.
