In What Way Can "The Donald" Target the LGBTQ Community
Protests against drag queen story-time childhood literacy events have led to increased scrutiny of public libraries, as well as false claims such events are being funded by taxpayers.
After pressure from conservative activists, corporations have also withdrawn from commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion. For some, this includes not participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
Constitutional challenges
In addition, the ACLU warns the Trump administration could weaponise federal law against transgender people. For instance, the group says, it could override critical state-level protections, arguing state laws that protect transgender students violate the federal statutory rights of non-transgender students.
The ACLU has also voiced concerns the Trump administration could take the “extreme position” the US Constitution entitles employers to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people based on employer religious beliefs, notwithstanding state nondiscrimination laws.
Many of the anti-LGBTQ+ polices outlined in Project 2025 would likely violate the Constitution and federal law. Organisations like the ACLU could then use the courts to challenge any Trump executive orders or other policy changes.
And Congress can still use its oversight and investigatory roles to constrain the Trump administration’s agenda. However, Republicans now hold a majority in the Senate and may have a majority in the House of Representatives.
This means activists hoping to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ policies will need a well-coordinated pro-equality action coalition at the federal, state and local levels in order to drive change and block any discriminatory policies that may arise during Trump’s second term.
Comments