A 16-year-old has written to the Washington Blade’s advice column, deeply concerned about the possible consequences that the LGBT+ community will face under the Trump administration.
“Since Trump won I feel like we are getting sucked back in time. It’s so scary to hear about all these homophobic people he is appointing to run the government.
“If the federal government is against gays, I’m afraid that America will turn against us again and we will no longer be able to live openly in peace,” writes the teen.
The boy says he has always lived in a red state but has always felt that it was “really fine” to be gay because of positive messages from television and the government. He also notes that his public school has a ‘gay-straight alliance’ but is worried the group could be shut down.
Michael Radkowsky, the website’s advice columnist, wrote an encouraging letter back to the teenager, giving him practical advice to keep moving forward.
“If your school gives you a hard time, call the local paper. And then call a national paper. Do not stay silent in the face of hate. Put bigotry on the defensive. Non-violent resistance can be a tool of awesome power."
Radkowsky goes on to say that the LGBT+ community has been offered an opportunity to decide how to respond to “threatening circumstances”.
“Standing up for what you believe in isn’t always easy, but at times like these, it’s what living an authentic life is really all about. Yes, a new wave of anti-gay policy is rolling in, but we certainly don’t have to drown. We don’t even have to let ourselves be knocked off balance.”
