Update: LGBTQIA+ Crisis Hotline Calls Surge Amid Trump’s Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies On Inauguration Day
UPDATE: On Donald Trump’s inauguration day, LGBTQIA+ crisis hotline calls surged to alarming levels, reflecting widespread fear and anxiety within the community, as reported by Advocate. The Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation reported over 1,400 calls by early afternoon—an unprecedented volume compared to their typical monthly average of 3,765 calls before Trump’s election. Kristen Johnston, a crisis team leader at the foundation, highlighted how the hotline serves as a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ youth facing bullying, stigma, and discrimination.
The spike in calls followed Trump’s speech, where he declared policies limiting gender recognition to “male and female” and signed executive orders rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. These moves included restricting trans and nonbinary individuals from obtaining accurate federal IDs and rescinding Biden-era orders safeguarding LGBTQ+ students and military personnel.
The surge in hotline activity underscores the emotional toll these policy changes have taken on LGBTQIA+ youth and highlights an urgent need for advocacy and support systems to protect their well-being.
The Trump administration is back, and it’s wasting no time making headlines. Within hours of taking the oath, Donald Trump signed a sweeping order to unravel diversity initiatives and LGBTQIA+ protections championed by the Biden administration. His moves have sparked strong reactions across the US but what does this mean for progress and inclusion?
Great. Just great. No hand on the Bible.
— FilmLadd (@FilmLadd) January 20, 2025
Melania tried to get it close to him but Roberts and Trump didn't notice.
Now we get 4 more years of people saying he's not President, and 4 more years of people saying he's the AntiChrist. pic.twitter.com/yBB2ektvFt
Two Genders, One Rule
According to Reuters, Trump’s executive order mandates federal agencies to recognise only two sexes, male and female, based on what he calls “immutable biological classification.” This change affects everything from passports to visas, with gender identity no longer recognised as distinct from biological sex. Trump’s administration stated it aims to end “social engineering of race and gender” in public and private life.
In his inaugural address, Trump emphasised, “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 timing of these announcements, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, has drawn sharp criticism. Human rights advocates argue these changes threaten decades of progress toward equity and inclusion.
Biden’s Legacy: 78 Orders, Gone
Trump’s latest actions include the repeal of 78 executive orders signed by the Biden administration. Among them are key policies targeting racial equity and protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Rolling back policies supporting gender identity and sexual orientation highlights a clear shift in priorities under the new administration. Advocacy groups aren’t holding back.
“We are not going anywhere, and we will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got,” Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a powerful statement.
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris and former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff say goodbye to the First and Second Families and the Bidens.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 20, 2025
I don’t think this has been announced yet but I assume President Biden extended her Secret Service protection for the standard six months. pic.twitter.com/mCI5AEKSw9
One significant target is the Supreme Court’s landmark Bostock v. Clayton County ruling from 2020, which expanded civil rights protections to LGBTQIA+ individuals under “sex discrimination.” Trump’s administration plans to limit its scope, with the attorney general set to issue guidance clarifying its application.
Rights groups argue this move, along with halting the use of federal funds to support what Trump calls “gender ideology,” jeopardises critical advancements for marginalised communities. LGBTQIA+ rights, equity for underserved groups, and protections for immigrant communities stand among the many areas facing uncertainty.
Corporates Caught in the Middle
As the government pivots on diversity policies, major corporations have taken varied stances. While some companies are stepping back from DEI commitments, others, like Apple and Costco, have doubled their support. This divide highlights the growing tension between policy and corporate responsibility.
Groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice promise to keep fighting. “We will continue our relentless efforts to protect rights and combat discrimination in all its forms.”
These policy shifts came on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – a time many find significant. The debate continues about how these changes will play out.
