Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
As Independence Day approaches, the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness feels bittersweet for many LGBTQ Americans. While fireworks light up the sky, beneath the celebration lies a growing shadow: the independence we cherish is slipping, quietly eroded through policies shaping our nation.
Here are some of the most critical areas where LGBTQ independence is under threat—and what we must rally against this Fourth of July:
Erasure of Gender Identity at the Federal Level
On January 20, a sweeping executive order declared that gender identity doesn’t exist—they mandated the feds to use only “sex,” defined strictly on chromosomes—no exceptions. It bans federal funding for any “gender ideology” and rescinded protections dating from Biden’s term. In effect, the federal government is refusing to see or serve trans people, erasing their needs from health care, documentation, and data.
Rolling Back Gender-Affirming Care
Following that edict, another order—dubbed “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation”—directed agencies to revoke any federal support for gender-affirming treatments for minors. Now, federal programs like ACA essential health benefits and Medicaid no longer necessarily cover these services after 2026. This isn’t policy—it’s a blockade, denying trans youth the care they need.
Data & Visibility in Peril
The same executive pushes “deleted over 8,000 government pages,” scrubbing “LGBTQ” references, and even toggling “pregnant people” to “pregnant women”. Without proper demographic data, we can’t track disparities or argue for resources—our existence is deliberately made invisible.
Mental Health Crisis Deepens
In a move that feels downright cruel, the specialized “Press 3” option on the 988 suicide hotline—designed to support LGBTQ youth—is set to be eliminated on July 17, 2025. After two critical years of outreach through The Trevor Project, LGBTQ youth will be funneled into a general line, dramatically less likely to understand their specific pain.
Housing & Shelter Protections Stripped
HUD has begun rolling back the Equal Access Rule, which ensured trans individuals were not turned away from gender-appropriate housing and shelter. The policy leaves trans people homeless or forced into unsafe situations, especially dire considering existing inequality in housing and shelter access.
NGO Defunding & DEI Purges
A wave of executive orders targeting DEI stamped out federal support for many LGBTQ advocates and health organizations under the guise of ending “wasteful” programs. Some of these orders have been injuncted, offering temporary relief, but their intent remains clear: purge queer voices from federal engagement.
What Independence Means This July
This Fourth of July, freedom isn’t just fireworks—it’s recognition, respect, and refuge. Instead, federal machinery is busy disacknowledging our identities, retracting medical care, silencing mental health support, and cutting off shelters and advocates. We are losing the basic tools to exist fully in this country.
Demand clear anti-discrimination protections under federal civil rights law that explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity—beyond Bostock’s workplace narrowness.
Support the lawsuits now challenging these destructive executive orders and hold the government to account in the courts.
Contact Congress: overturn the 988 hotline cut, restore funding, and pass federal legislation enshrining LGBTQ rights.
Fund and uplift local LGBTQ centers, shelters, and mental health services that continue to serve under fire.
Speak up in your communities—be visible, vocal, and unrelenting in defending our shared ideals.