Because of Trump, this Pride Month feels different. Hateful. But we will win.

USA Today

4 hours ago

Republicans aren't going to stop until we're all back in the closet. We must continue to fight for progress, for the benefit of all. In the end, history will remember who was on the wrong side.
For those of us in the LGBTQ+ community, this Pride Month feels different. Hateful, even. To President Donald Trump and those in his administration, that's the point.
On June 18, it was announced that the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline would no longer be partnering with The Trevor Project and other groups to provide specialized support services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in crisis. According to the Trump administration, this is 'to focus on serving all help seekers.'
To LGBTQ+ people and our allies, it's clearly a move to show that our mental health is not a priority to the Republican Party. And how does removing something help anybody?
This isn't the only instance of Trump and Republicans trying to destroy the progress made by LGBTQ+ people in the decades since Pride Month celebrations began.
Here are some of the other ways the LGBTQ+ community has been targeted this June. Remember, the point from Republican leaders is to inflict pain for political points. It's not to help children.
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Supreme Court rules against trans youth
In the months following Trump's second inauguration, the transgender community has borne the brunt of Republican ire. Another blow to the community was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 18, when the justices voted 6-3 to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The court ruled that the law, which prevents young people from using puberty blockers or hormone therapy, doesn't violate the 14th Amendment.
In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the court 'abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.'
Chase Strangio, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union and the first openly transgender person to argue in front of the Supreme Court, called the decision a 'painful setback' but stressed the need to continue the fight for trans rights.
The children who do seek this type of gender-affirming care know who they are. Hormones and puberty blockers aren't prescribed unless these children can prove that they are suffering from distress that would be eased by treatment.
This ban, and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it, show that the 'debate' over trans people's identity isn't about keeping kids safe. It's about controlling people who are different. It's not about protecting kids; it's about hurting them to make Republican leaders feel good about themselves.
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Navy may no longer honor Harvey Milk with vessel
It's not just the present that is being affected by the Trump administration. It's also how we remember the past.
On June 3, U.S. officials confirmed that the USNS Harvey Milk, a naval oil tanker named for the late LGBTQ+ rights activist. Milk, who served as a U.S. Navy operations officer on rescue submarines during the Korean War then went on to become the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, was assassinated in 1978.
While it's unclear when the renaming will occur, it's clearly part of the Trump administration's efforts to scrub anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from the public record.
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It's disgraceful that Trump wants to rid the government of as much LGBTQ+ history as possible. It is shameful that something as simple as a dedication is being questioned. It may not seem like a big deal to some people, but it shows that the primary goal of the Trump administration is to make people feel like their lives and their history don't matter.
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All of this started well before this Pride Month. One of the first things Trump did upon his second inauguration was declare that the country would only recognize two genders. In February, his administration removed references to transgender people from the Stonewall National Monument's website. Bills have been introduced in several state legislatures that attempt to overturn the Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage.
The LGBTQ+ community is strong. We have remained defiant for decades, and we'll continue to speak out as Trump and Republican lamakers try to silence us. It's just heartbreaking that this is happening during a month that we are supposed to be celebrating.
Republicans aren't going to stop until we're all back in the closet. We must continue to fight for progress, for the benefit of all. In the end, history will remember who was on the wrong side of history – and it certainly won't be those of us fighting to keep our rights.
Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter: @sara__pequeno
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