These are very unusual times, a phrase that has been used many times since January 20^th, and unfortunately a phrase that still is relevant 12 weeks later; but hopefully not for another 3 ½ years. As an immigrant living in this country for more than 35 years, I am starting to get used to the democratic discussions back and forth. However, what I cannot get used to is going from being very proud of Iowa being the 5^th state in the nation to accept gay marriage to the extreme 2025 new law taking away human rights protections from people who identify as trans. Contrast Maine’s response to the same issues: having passed a law accepting protection for trans people 20 years ago and not backing down to the threats from the current administration, with the response: “See you in court.”

It is very disconcerting that the LGBTQ+ community is constantly under attack. As an ally, I am frequently asking myself how I can support LGBTQ+ community members and family members – especially children and adolescents questioning their sexual identity. As the saying goes; if you do not stand up for your neighbor when they are dealing with challenges, there will be no neighbor standing up for you when they come after you.

Unfortunately, we have seen this wave of violence towards LGBTQ+ people throughout history. Having grown up in the shadow of WWII, I unfortunately see a lot of parallels to the current situation in this USA today. I was especially reminded of the Nazi regime’s atrocities towards the LGBTQ+ community when my late husband and I visited the Tiergarten in Berlin commemorating the suffering of the LGBTQ+ community at the hands of the Third Reich. The concrete cube designed by the duo Michael Elmgreen (from Denmark) and Ingar Dragset (from Norway) is a non-traditional memorial, including a video playing inside the concrete cube, giving a creative insight into the beauty of gay love. The video is intended to reduce intolerance, discrimination, and persecution of homosexuals all over the world.

Misogynistic and sexually reactionary attitudes have been on the rise in many countries where LGBTQ+ movements have been winning victories. After 1968, we have seen leadership all over the world connect support for the LGBTQ+ community with broader efforts to make treatment of marginalized communities more just and inclusive. Let us cherish and celebrate Pride Month in June and commemorate the Stonewall riots in June1969, which have led to celebrations of gay rights and pride all over the world. I feel the need to visit the Stonewall monument every time I travel to New York City and pay my respects to the bravery of the drag queens armed with their stiletto heels and admire how their courage resulted in major changes in attitudes towards the gay community across the world.

Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of Mussolini and niece of the famous actress Sophia Loren, has turned out to be a study in contradictions, from being arch-conservative to an impassioned supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, speaking out on TV and social media recently to defend Pride and same-sex families against attacks from Italy's current conservative government. "In life we all change on the basis of our experiences, of things that happen," Alessandra told Vanity Fair. "Talking to my kids, I understood that for [them], sexual orientation isn't even a topic: it's like putting on a dress that you can change, and nobody cares what it's like." I am not sure I agree with her reference to changing your dress and presumably your identity, but at least she is a conservative acknowledging the humanity of the LGBTQ+ community.

How do we support our LGBTQ+ community under constant attack?

Strike a balance between support and constructive protection. Learn to listen to our friends and not push too much for visibility.

The key is solidarity, joined with flexible and creative united-front approaches:

1. Show solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community members and support them in their way of life.
2. Think about how we can mobilize LGBTQ+ working people, queer youthexperiencing housing insecurities, women, racialized and oppressed people – who are often all too invisible – against both the far right and neoliberalism.
3. Think about how we can make marginalized communities more visible. Consider ways to contribute to de-stigmatizing these communities and enhancing empathy in all of us.
4. Support broad anti-racist communities and remember that aggressive nationalism is closely connected with a narrow concept of masculinity, according to George Mosse.
5. Let us begin this discussion now and remember that often substances are used to numb traumatic experiences and negative attitudes from non-accepting community members.
6. Let us support our fellow LGBTQ+ community members and stop them from having to go back into the closet.
7. Let us not forget the rural communities, where everybody knows everybody. How safe is it to be open about sensitive issues like sexual identity in a rural community?
8. Let us work to reduce political homophobia, transphobia, trans oppression, and gender-based biases—and stop the eradication of LGBTQ+ voicesby sharing stories and more evidence-based accurate information than what we read and hear at the moment.
9. As efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives grow, it’s more critical than ever to stand up for truth, inclusion, and human dignity.

In conclusion, let us think about the language we use and the attitudes we exhibit and remember that our LGBTQ+ family members, friends, and communities need all the support they can get in these very tumultuous times.

References

https://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article6168

https://dfrlab.org/2023/09/06/anti-lgbtq-narratives-connect-disparate-neo-fascist-groups/

https://peoplesdispatch.org/2019/08/31/we-will-not-cease-to-exist-just-because-they-hate-us/