The only part of my body that seems to agree with a Trump presidency is my waistline. My waist is finally doing what I’ve been struggling to get the darn thing to do for months now. It’s getting smaller. But it’s not happening the way I had planned. I’m not exercising more than usual, nor am I restricting myself from high-calorie foods that aren’t healthy.
The pounds are peeling off because since Wednesday morning I don’t have much of an appetite.
I went to bed on election night before the final results were tallied, but the writing was on the wall. I woke up to texts asking how I was doing. And then the frantic calls came in from friends concerned what a Trump presidency means, not only for gay and lesbian people, but people of color, Muslims, women, the sick, and the poor. I just finished reading an article about how Republicans want to get rid of Medicaid and replace it with vouchers, not to mention their desire to privatize Social Security and Medicare. What could possible go wrong?
I am scared for all people who are not rich, have health conditions, or fit into a minority group because those are the ones who are most vulnerable to a Trump presidency. The protests in the streets following Trump’s election night win aren’t a bunch of babies acting out because their side lost. They’re out there because they’re afraid that hate won Tuesday night. (I’m not defending those who caused property damage and spray painted A’s all over buildings. You are anarchists and most likely didn’t even vote. You are NOT what the heart of these protests are about.)
The protesters are afraid of the divisive and hateful rhetoric Trump’s campaign was built around. And the fear is real, and it is valid. If any other Republican from the party’s long list of candidates had won, there may have been frustration, but not this kind of fear. People wouldn’t have taken to the streets, in the thousands, to protests across the country if John Kasich had become the president-elect.
But he didn’t win. Donald Trump did, and now many groups across the country are wondering what this means for them. I’m a lesbian. And I’m wondering what this means for me.
On the morning after the election, I was lying in bed, reading an article about gay rights and a Trump/Pence presidency. It wasn’t pretty.
Here is a link to that article: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/11/09/here-is-what-president-trump-means-for-lgbt-rights/
Below is a quote from the above article:
“His running mate Mike Pence has confirmed a plan to dismantle Barack Obama’s protections for LGBT people, as part of an ‘immediate’ review of executive orders issued by President Obama…Also significantly, President-elect Trump has pledged to sign the Republican-backed First Amendment Defence Act, a law that would permit forms of anti-LGBT discrimination on the grounds of religion.”
Is it any wonder that when my mother saw me that morning, and was about to gloat how Trump had won, that I burst into tears so uncontrollably that I couldn’t even talk? There is nothing subtle or more frightening than to hear words, so blatantly filled with hate, directed right at you.
Now is the time for every community threatened by a Donald Trump presidency to come together. History tells us we have been through much worse. We must do all we can to not go back there ever again. In the meantime, call a trusted friend. Surround yourself with people who make you feel protected.
We’ll get through this together.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
aliciajoseph 
Saw Trump on BBC News this morning and he said that gay marriage is now enshrined in law and he won’t change it. He may backtrack on many issues but I understand your fears. After years of Tory rule here, with the streets of every city constantly witness to public protests about the victimisation of the poor and disabled by the government, and the privatisation of our National Health Service by stealth, we welcome you across the Pond to the ongoing fight against fascism and the horrors of a right-wing establishment. We are many and they are few.
Thanks for reading, Carol. I’ve heard Trump also promise not to challenge marriage equality, but when he selects the most anti-gay politician, Mike Pence, to be his running mate, I’m skeptical. Pence at one point (probably still does) believed in gay conversion therapy. He also signed a law in his state as Governor to allow businesses to discriminate against gays on grounds of religious freedom. He repealed that law after a massive blowback from businesses and citizens, but he believes in that stance. I’m nervous, but just have to wait and see, I suppose. I know you guys over there have a lot you have to fight for. Fight like heck against the privatization of health care. It’s evil. It really is. Profits over people is killing us.
Alicia Joseph, I am not gay myself, however, I am in favor of same sex marriage being legal. If being gay was a choice (I am not saying that it is,) why would anybody make a big deal about it if the individual in question elected not to be romantically involved with a member of the same sex? Why is an individual’s private sex life any of the business of the public? Now, I am not dismissing the value of traditional marriage, however, I have no objection to same sex marriage. For those Bible-thumping turbo-Christians, here is some free advice: Mind your own business. By definition, a person’s private sex life is private. Not being actively displayed to the general public.
Thank you, Jeffrey, for reading as well as leaving a comment. Thank you for your support of same sex marriage. I want to believe Donald Trump when he says he’s going to leave the current Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage alone, but it’s hard to just take his word for it. He’s already backtracking on numerous campaign promises and he’s not even in the Oval office yet. Only time will tell. Thanks, again.
Alicia Joseph, I really don’t care if 2 people of the same sex want to marry. Why should I? It is really none of my business anyway. There seems to be a double standard regarding heterosexual couples wanting to express their affection for each other and wanting to frown on it when it is expressed by same sex couples. What are your views personally?
Luckily, I know more people who are for same-sex marriage than against it, at least that’s what they tell me to my face anyway. I think some heterosexual people have difficulty understanding that two women or two men, can share the same love, same affection, as a man and a woman. Hopefully gay marriage remains a federal right. If there is any rhetoric of taking it away, gay people, as well as their allies, won’t go quietly.
That is good.
This is beautiful and I feel the same. Thank you and you are right: we’re in this together.
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my blog. And yes, we’re all in this together. Let’s support each other. 😊
Alicia Joseph, I am not gay, however, same sex marriage being legally recognized is something I support. Just my thoughts.
Thank you, Jeffrey. The gay community appreciates your support. Wish everyone felt that way. Life would be so much easier. 😁 Have a great evening.
You do the same.