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 will be sharing them throughout the month (you can also still submit). Today, we will share thoughts from Ash Orr, a 35-year-old queer trans man and trans rights activist who is currently battling the Trump administration’s anti-trans passport policy.

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Bruised but still here: A trans woman learns to “speak louder” the more Trump tries to silence her

The ACLU filed Orr v. Trump in February after the president signed an executive order declaring that there were only two immutable genders: male and female. Afterward, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered that all passport applications requesting an “X” gender marker be suspended, as well as any applications listing a person’s gender identity rather than the sex they were assigned at birth.

Here’s what Orr had to say about the first year of Trump’s second term.

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

Over the past year, I’ve experienced a heightened sense of fear and instability as a transgender man living in an increasingly hostile political climate. Policies, rhetoric, and public discourse have contributed to real-world consequences for my safety and well-being. My husband and I ultimately made the difficult decision to leave my home state of West Virginia because it no longer felt safe for me to live openly and securely there.

I am also a named plaintiff in Orr v. Trump, a case that reflects how deeply federal actions can affect the daily lives of LGBTQI+ people. While the legal process is ongoing, the experience itself has underscored how vulnerable trans people can become when protections are weakened or removed. The cumulative impact has been emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and the loss of a sense of home—but also a clearer understanding of how urgently our voices need to be heard.

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

In 2026, I hope to see LGBTQI+ leaders and allies act with sustained courage and clarity – not just in moments of crisis, but consistently. That means defending trans lives in concrete ways, pushing back against harmful narratives, and prioritizing the safety of the most vulnerable members of our community, including those forced to relocate for their own protection.

I also hope allies understand that visibility alone is not enough. We need action: legal advocacy, material support, and a willingness to stand firm even when it is politically inconvenient. Most of all, I want a future where LGBTQI+ people are not asked to prove their humanity or justify their existence, and where no one has to leave their home just to feel safe.

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