Trans in the crosshairs: preparing for Trump's second act

Waking Up to Day 1: Trans America Braces for Impact In the ever-shifting landscape of American politics, trans folks are preparing for the second coming of President Donald Trump . A victory lap for the President-elect might sound like a celebration to some, but for many in the transgender community, it’s more like preparing for the storm. No one’s hoping for an umbrella; they’re fortifying their shelters. The President-elect has made his stance clear: Transgender rights are among the first casualties in his agenda. With promises to redefine "sex" as binary, roll back Title IX protections , and dismantle gender-affirming health care for minors, it’s going to be a rocky start to his second term. But don’t be fooled by the doom and gloom—trans Americans are far more prepared this time around than in 2016. The slogan might be “We got us,” but this is no naive optimism. This is seasoned survivalism, and it’s as sharp as ever. Rushing to Update Docs: A Passport to the Future? Ash Orr, a West Virginia advocate, has seen the writing on the wall. He’s speeding through the legal process to update his name and gender marker, just in case a new federal definition of sex changes the game. As if navigating bureaucracy wasn’t challenging enough, now it’s a race against the clock to secure identity documents that align with who you are before the new administration makes it harder than ever. And if you thought you had it all figured out with that shiny new passport with the gender-neutral “X,” think again. Experts say the incoming administration might throw a wrench in that plan too. No one knows if those X-passports will become relics of a kinder time or simply vanish in a puff of political smoke. For Orr and others, it’s about securing what they can, when they can—because the future is anything but certain. Packing for a Different Kind of Road Trip For many trans people, "leaving the state" is no longer an expression, but a literal survival strategy. In Oregon, Finn Franklin, a 20-year-old trans man, is rethinking his college plans. He had dreams of a rural school, but with a possible rollback of trans health services, his dream now is a metro area where access to care won’t be under constant threat. A solid college degree might take you places, but it’s not worth much if your health care is on the chopping block. As for Ash Orr? He’s planning an exit strategy from West Virginia—where threats against him and his partner have been escalating. The clock is ticking, and the question isn’t just about where to move, but whether it’s safe to stay put. It’s a bittersweet decision for someone whose roots run deep in their home state. The Battle for Health Care: Hormones, Surgery, and the Right to Exist Katie Jenifer , a North Carolina lawyer, has one goal: get her 17-year-old daughter, Maddie, a year’s worth of estrogen, just in case the next administration decides to shut off the tap to life-saving transition-related care. The cost? An alarming $49 a month—thanks to a pharmacy coupon, though Jenifer is still keeping her fingers crossed that insurance doesn’t make it worse. But Maddie’s not alone in this precarious health care tango. Across the country, trans youth like Finn Franklin are worrying whether their gender-affirming treatments will survive the political purge. For trans minors who depend on Medicaid, access to crucial services could dry up faster than the ink on a presidential executive order. For now, it’s a waiting game—and a prayer that the promises to cut funding for these services are just another political bluff. Rallying the Troops: Mutual Aid and Self-Defense as the New Resistance While Trump is busy compiling his executive order wishlist, trans folks are taking matters into their own hands. In the face of escalating violence and rhetoric, many are banding together, not only to protect their rights but to protect themselves. Bennett Kaspar-Williams, a Los Angeles-based lawyer and martial arts enthusiast, is leading self-defense classes for the LGBTQ community. If you thought the right to life and liberty was a given, think again. For many, it’s not just about survival in the courtroom, but survival on the streets. Meanwhile, groups like the Action for Transformation Fund are stepping up the fundraising game, aware that in the next four years, they’ll be needed more than ever. This isn’t just about fighting for the right to exist—it’s about fighting for the right to live freely. Those resources are essential, especially for trans people of color, who often get the short end of the stick when it comes to both political and financial support. The Long Road Ahead: Solidarity Is Our Shield In this new era of uncertainty, one thing is clear: Transgender Americans won’t be left to fend for themselves. Whether it’s donating to mutual aid funds or organizing for self-defense, the community is coming together. As Mx. Dahlia Belle, a comedian and activist, pointed out, the fight isn’t just for the trans community—it’s for everyone who exists at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities. The second term of Trump may seem like a terrifying prospect, but the transgender community has been through the wringer before. This time, they know the drill. They’ve learned how to adapt, how to survive, and most importantly, how to fight back. And when the dust settles, one thing will be certain: The trans community won’t just be enduring this era—they’ll be shaping it, one bold step at a time.