On the campaign trail this year, Donald Trump and his surrogates spewed tons of anti-transgender rhetoric in the form of speeches, ads, and written policies. Trump’s campaign spent $11 million on an ad that targeted Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies on transgender rights and nearly $215 million on anti-trans TV ads.
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“Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you,” Trump said in multiple ads.
Even before Trump was elected into office for a second presidency, Folx, a telehealth and wellness platform for the LGBTQ+ community, released a survey in August revealing an increased fear of safety among the trans community, and an increased desire to move to different states.
The survey found that one in five trans people lost access to healthcare due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics and laws, 58% of trans individuals considered moving to another state, and 77% reported that they’re taking protective measures due to fear of what might happen during the election.
In the wake of Trump’s election victory, those fears have intensified, with the focus now on all the ways that transgender rights could be curtailed in the next four years. But there are also tons of people working tirelessly to keep this community safe and informed, according to activists, impacted individuals, and families who spoke with Fast Company for this story.
Kate Steinle, a nurse practitioner and chief clinical officer at Folx, has concerns that include four main things: Medicaid, Medicare, military, and minors. Those are big groups of the population that Trump’s policies have the potential to affect.
“Most of the limitations that they have talked about is on trans youth and access to gender-affirming care for trans youth,” says Steinle. “We at Folx just treat people who are 18 and over, so it’s not going to necessarily affect our care. [But] it’s going to affect our community. And I think that’s a big piece.”
Along with these big groups, there are other concerns, especially within more conservative states. There is fear, for instance, that despite the Affordable Care Act, employers and insurers may offer plans that don’t cover gender-affirming treatments, putting financial strain on individuals who need them.
Similarly, states including Florida and Texas are introducing or have already passed laws to limit access to gender-affirming care and other services. These include state-level laws that restrict who can provide care (for example, requiring a doctor of medicine or M.D. instead of a nurse practitioner for gender-affirming prescriptions) and mandates that individuals must seek in-person consultations and sign informed consent forms in-person, even if they plan on receiving services via telehealth.
Steinle is also concerned about potential moves in conservative states to restrict individuals’ ability to change their gender markers on official documents like birth certificates and IDs. She anticipates that these restrictions might also extend to federal documents like passports in the future, adding another layer of stress and hardship for transgender individuals.
“I think [IDs] are things that we are also watching because we want to make sure that we are explaining to people when that is happening what they can do beforehand, what they can do after,” Steinle explains.
Folx’s goal prior to and during the election was to remain proactive. This means providing its patients with the most accurate and up-to-date information, as well as continuous care and support. Folx is more than a health provider; it also works to build community and give trans individuals, along with other LGBTQ+ community members, an outlet and a space to feel safe. It provides community events, therapy groups, and other resources to help achieve a sense of security.
“There’s a lot of people who work here who are also directly affected by this anxiety and feeling for their own lives and their own safety and their concerns,” says Steinle. “But they also are so dedicated to making sure our members feel taken care of.”
On Trans Day of Remembrance earlier this week, a mom in a veteran military family from the Central Valley region of California with a transgender minor sat down to chat with me. She prefers to remain anonymous for the safety of her son and family.
“I remember him being so young, and every time we would go to the bathroom, you know, you hold your kid’s hand, and I remember him squeezing it really hard as we entered the women’s bathroom,” she explains. “And before he could even vocalize those emotions, he was uncomfortable and I could feel that. So we moved to the family restroom, the individual stall. That’s so important for him, and he stopped squeezing my hand and stopped being uncomfortable when he was allowed those opportunities.”
To better visualize why trans healthcare is important, imagine if your child was complaining of a headache or a stomach. You would listen to them and what their bodies need, explains the mom. It’s the same for trans children; they are telling you something doesn’t feel right about their body.
The mom says her biggest concern is her son’s access to healthcare. “Every parent wants their child to be the most successful, functioning citizen of this country,” she says. “And trans people can’t do that if they don’t get basic healthcare. And so these potential federal laws that can take place, and quite frankly, the daily attacks on our trans people and youth, are incredibly scary.”
She adds that the most important things that allies can do right now is show up, speak up, listen and learn, and take daily action. Whether that is volunteering at an LGBTQ+ center or donating clothes to trans people so they feel comfortable in their bodies, showing up every day is extremely important, particularly in the fight to keep protecting the laws in supportive states such as California.
“You know, we’re a military family that’s fought for our democracy, and we can’t live in over half of the states in the country right now,” the mom says. “I find that very ironic and absolutely awful.”
Similarly to Folx, organizations such as the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that focuses on suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community, is working nonstop to support this community in the second Trump era.
The Trevor Project reported a 700% increase in volume across classic crisis services, which is the highest record since it began providing 24/7 services in 2019. More than 40% of the contacts were transgender and nonbinary young people.
“It is important for people to understand that this is not a new situation for the LGBTQ+ community,” says Jason Wu, senior director of state advocacy and government affairs at the Trevor Project, over email. “Throughout our history, we have had to fight for our rights—and we will continue to do so no matter who is elected president.”
In addition to its crisis line, the Trevor Project strives to educate people across the United States about what it means to be transgender. It works to counteract anti-transgender myths and misconceptions that have been fueled by political rhetoric and campaign materials.
Another organization, PFLAG National, which is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families, recommends several actions for creating an inclusive workplace for transgender and nonbinary employees.
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Review internal policies to ensure they are inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, and ensure all employees, including leadership, are aware of these policies.
“Right now, we encourage everyone to show up for the transgender people in their lives,” explains Wu. “Let your transgender friends, family members, and neighbors know that you have their back, no matter what. Be visible and vocal in your support for transgender people—whether that’s on social media or out in your community. Now is the time to double down on your allyship.”
This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com
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