Over the last eight years, our community has witnessed an incredible increase in anti-discrimination protections at the federal level, ensuring access to health care, housing and employment as federal contractors. Statewide, we are guaranteed equal access to health care and equality in public schools and know that future generations of students are now required to learn about the significant accomplishments of LGBTQ Americans in our public school curriculum. After the results of last week’s election, including the election of one of the most virulently anti-LGBTQ vice presidents in recent history, public demonstrations of support for trans and gender-nonconforming people are extremely critical.
In addition to the legitimate fears that the new presidential administration will rescind anti-discrimination protections afforded to trans and gender non-conforming people, many in our community now fear simply walking out the door. The fear that transphobia, along with many other forms of bias, has now been legitimized by the election of people openly hostile to our very lives is real in many of our hearts. Concerns about experiencing open displays of hostility, violence and discrimination are now at the forefront of many of our minds, including my own, when we walk out the door.
For the first time in years, reported hate crimes in California actually increased. This is true of both Los Angeles and Orange counties, and our transgender and gender-nonconforming community continues to experience elevated levels of violence when compared to other communities.
The only way to stop the spread of hate is to take a stand against it each and every day. We need to watch out for each other now more than ever.
I hope you will join me on Sunday in one small step toward ensuring safety, dignity and respect for our fellow community members here and everywhere.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:30pm at Harvey Milk Promenade Park in Long Beach. For more information visit centerlb.org.
