As part of LGBTQ Nation’s January issue, we asked readers to tell us how one year of the second Trump administration has affected their lives and what they hope LGBTQ+ leaders and allies do differently in 2026.

We received dozens of submissions and have been sharing them throughout the month.

For this post, we will be sharing the answers of queer folks of all identities who bravely gave voice to their pain and fear.

Here is what they had to say.

How has living under the second Trump administration affected you personally over the last year?

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“As a transgender woman, the past year has been defined by fear, instability, and constant vigilance. The administration has actively moved to take away my medically necessary hormone therapy while simultaneously undermining basic civil rights — including legal identification, passport recognition, and even the right to safely use a restroom. I’ve spent enormous emotional energy fighting insurance denials, preparing for care interruptions, and worrying whether my existence will continue to be treated as political leverage rather than a matter of human dignity and survival.”

-AT, 60 years old, trans woman and lesbian

“My family had already moved the year prior to flee anti-trans policies in the red state we’d owned a house in, prior. When trump was elected, we used the rest of our resources to leave the country. Each move introduced significantly more precarity.”

-N Alexander, 36 years old, queer nonbinary trans man

“I hear more homophobic/transphobic things from conservative family members. I’m scared for established rights, like same sex marriage, to be taken away, especially after Roe v. Wade. I really hope there’s not another president like him when I’m older. It’s also hurt my family a lot financially.”

-Anonymous, 16 years old, bisexual and agender

“This administration makes me look at the US flag differently.  I want it to stand for everyone but I’m not sure it stands for me and folx like me.  I have had to consider things that no one should rush into but may be taken away, like surgery.  I’ve been stocking up on medication.  Some of my friends have left the country.  Preparing for the unknown is stressful.”

Ginger, 64 years old, bisexual trans woman

“It has been devastating, and eye opening. I knew this time was going to be difficult, but the experience of living through it has been nothing short of a mountain of indescribable horrors.”

-Anonymous, 25 years old, pansexual trans woman

“It has made me afraid everywhere I go that I will be shot or treated disrespectfully if I wear anything rainbow. I was actually really afraid of going to my local pride parade this year. I am very disappointed Kamala Harris did not win. I hope that it isn’t too late to take our democracy back.”

-Anonymous, 16 years old, gay

I married my husband 4 years ago. I’m afraid that this right will be taken away by the illegal SCOTUS he put in place.  Im a government contractor serving at risk young adults.  I’ve been fired and unfired twice this year, saved only by court injunctions.  I await the court decision next month if I will still have my union job.  At my workplace, I have seen draconian and hurtful anti-trans policies applied to our trans and non binary students.  I’ve seen ICE show up at work looking for students. I’ve agonized over the fear this administration is forcing over our community. It’s all personal to me.

-Josh, 45 years old, gay

“Never knowing if my marriage will be impacted; always wondering if my child is safe at school; worrying about who is watching us as a family when we’re out together in public. Makes me reimagine our entire democratic system and path forward while considering running for president myself.”

-Mariah R., 34 years old, bisexual and nonbinary

What do you hope to see from LGBTQ+ leaders and allies in 2026?

“I want to see courage backed by action — not just words. LGBTQ+ leaders and allies must aggressively defend trans healthcare, legal recognition, and bodily autonomy, and refuse to let trans people be treated as expendable or negotiable. Real unity, coordinated legal challenges, and sustained public support are essential if equality is to mean anything at all.”

-AT, 60 years old, trans woman and lesbian

“Organization. An organized resistance on every front to facism, and gentleness and mercy to the members of our own community. Empowered governments try to divide the populations they’re trying to control and destroy; resistance also means resisting that impulse and showing clear guidance on how to do that on the ground level. And above all, protect trans people. We stand together or we all fall.

-N Alexander, 36 years old, queer nonbinary trans man

“Push back against any consideration of taking away rights. Maybe more work done in Christian communities since the homophobia is so bad.”

-Anonymous, 16 years old, bisexual and agender

“We all need to keep up the good fight and take time celebrate the small victories when we get them. History tells us that the queer community is resilient and innovative and that gives me hope.”

-Ginger, 64 years old, bisexual trans woman

“Be a voice for the voiceless.”

-Anonymous, 25 years old, pansexual trans woman

“That they will stop being quiet and stand up for our rights. They (a lot of leaders) want to play moderate on the LGBTQ+ issues when we need real change. We cannot sit idly by and let (I pray to God it never comes to this) an erasure of us, whether it be of our culture or by genocide.”

-Anonymous, 16 years old, gay

“Someone who will fight fire with fire.  Leaders who inspire.  Leaders who won’t back down. Leaders who can motivate and activate our community in real time to real threats against us and our rights. I ain’t going back!”

-Josh, 45 years old, gay

“More creativity.”

-Mariah R., 34 years old, bisexual and nonbinary

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