December 6, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

These are the Battles We Face in 2018

Each new year has the strange tendency to fill people with revived hope for the future. As for 2018, well, it seems many members of the LGBTQ+ community is going into it with a proverbial grain of salt after the problematic acts of the current administration. From health concerns to basic civil rights protections, the community has a number of long, grueling fights ahead in 2018.

Most at risk of all are transgender people, whose rights are, from a legal standpoint, still coming under question by the Trump administration. And with the federal courts being packed with judges with a history of anti-LGBTQ rulings, 2018 could be even scarier than 2017, if we let it. The most pressing issue, at hand, of course, is the fate of transgender people in the military. Though they will be allowed to enlist again as of January 1st, Trump’s doggedness with matters pertaining to oppression seem to know no bounds – so let’s not put our guards down just yet.

For the moment, thanks to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly’s ruling on Trump’s attempt at banning transgender servicemembers from the army, more time has been bought. As she stated, albeit somewhat tersely, “The court is not persuaded that defendants will be irreparably injured by allowing the accession of transgender individuals into the military beginning on Jan. 1, 2018.”

With that clear violation of constitutional rights on semi-lock, now we can worry about AIDS/HIV-related health care for lower income LGBTQ+ citizens. After Trump repealed Obamacare, which required everyone to buy health care or pay a tax at the end of the year, it’s likely way fewer people strapped for cash in other avenues are going to want to plunk down. That being said, the LGBTQ+ community is already twice as likely to not have health insurance. Accordingly, this new development renders many even more vulnerable, particularly when it comes to getting affordable treatment for HIV/AIDS. To further compound getting adequate care for the disease, the Trump administration effectively eradicated the entire Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS.

Other “odds and ends” to be on the lookout for based on recent discriminatory actions of the Trump regime also include standing up and being counted. Like literally, in the census. Because it isn’t a coincidence that the Census Bureau’s upcoming 2020 survey will not be including any questions about gender identity or sexual orientation. And by effectively erasing any governmentally visible trace of LGBTQs from existence, it’s pretty likely that very little is going to be done policy-wise to help with the concerns facing the community.

So, now more than ever, 2018 is the year to put the “new me” mantra aside and simply say, “New year, new government.”

Related Posts

Kamala Harris Addresses Concerns Over Biden’s Debate Performance at Brentwood Fundraiser

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

VP Defends Biden’s Contrast with Trump, Despite Post-Debate Criticism Vice President Kamala Harris addressed concerns over President Biden’s recent performance...

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

Gerrie Schipske Enters Long Beach Mayoral Race

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gerrie Schipske announced on Thursday, December 30th that she would run for Mayor of Long Beach this year. The second-term...

Out Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Announces Run for the U.S. House

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gay Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced that he would be running for an open seat for the U.S. House. ...

LACMA Spotlights Queer Black Artists & Subjects

December 7, 2021

December 7, 2021

“The Obama Portraits Tour” and “Black American Portraits” exhibits at LACMA not only celebrate portraiture, but also queer Black artists...

WeHo Wins ‘Most Business-Friendly City Award’ from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has been awarded the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 Most Business-Friendly City Award....

WeHo Announces “Hybrid” City Council Meetings

October 18, 2021

October 18, 2021

The City of West Hollywood will begin ‘hybrid’ in-person and teleconference city council meetings.  Starting on Monday, October 18th the...

Caitlyn Jenner Expresses Outrage After California Recall Vote

September 29, 2021

September 29, 2021

Republican candidate Caitlyn Jenner received only one percent of the California recall vote.  The 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was...

WeHo’s New Mayor And Mayor Pro Tem Sworn In

September 28, 2021

September 28, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has sworn in its new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.  Lauren Meister was sworn in...

Newsom To Sign Into Law $50M To Help Performing Arts Organizations

August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom will be signing into a law $50 million in financial relief to help small performing arts organizations. ...

$3 Million To Train California Teachers On LGBTQ Issues

July 26, 2021

July 26, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a final state budget that includes $3 million for LGBTQ cultural competency training for public...

WeHo Announces David Wilson As Next City Manager

May 23, 2021

May 23, 2021

The City Council of the City of West Hollywood has announced its unanimous selection of David Wilson to serve as...

Stoli Vodka’s Harvey Milk Collector’s Edition Bottle

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

In honor of Pride 2021 Stoli Vodka has launched a limited edition Harvey Milk collectors edition bottle.  On Harvey Milk...

Caitlyn Jenner Running For Governor Of California

April 25, 2021

April 25, 2021

Caitlyn Jenner, Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist, announced that she will be running for California Governor. 71-year-old Jenner made...