The Day After: A call for hope and solidarity in a time of hate and division

Written by Erika Castellanos , GATE's Executive Director.

Tuesday was election day in the United States of America, a country typically associated with freedom, opportunity and global leadership. Like many others worldwide, my home television has been on a US news channel nonstop. I felt nervous about the potential outcome but remained hopeful. I hoped the US people would vote for hope and against fear. After a disastrous previous term resembling a dark comedy series, legal lawsuits, and numerous scandals, I never thought we would see this day again.?

I have been proved wrong!

The reason we are here is perhaps something we might not comprehend immediately. What is evident is that fear and hate mobilize votes. Using trans people as scapegoats makes presidents, exporting hate is seen as normal, and decorum and basic human decency are under threat of extinction. The worst part is that this is not a phenomenon only in the USA. Recent elections in other parts of the world, Georgia, Italy, the Netherlands and Argentina, just to name a few, have similar, if not copy-paste, hate and fear strategies.? Respect for human dignity is being erased one election at a time.

As we process the results of the recent US election, I am filled with hope, fear, and urgency. For those of us working to protect the rights of trans and gender diverse people around the world, the implications are profound. To my trans and gender diverse family in the United States, I send you my deepest love and unwavering solidarity. I know this is a time of uncertainty and concern, and I want you to know that we stand beside you, recognizing the gravity of this moment.

The US has always significantly influenced global policies, and the outcome of its elections reaches beyond national borders. For organizations like GATE, which is dedicated to advocating for trans rights on a global scale, this influence shapes the landscape in which we work. The policies and rhetoric endorsed by the US don't just impact its citizens; they send signals around the world. When the US supports human rights, other countries are encouraged to follow suit. When it turns inward, downplaying rights for LGBTQ+ communities or using our identities as points of division, it weakens the protections that have been built up through years of hard work and resilience.

At GATE, we're deeply concerned about the rise of anti-gender rhetoric that has been escalating across the world. The US election could either bolster or deflate these movements. Anti-gender groups use "gender ideology" as a scapegoat, creating a distorted picture of trans and gender diverse people as threats to traditional values. These groups distort our identities to create a common enemy, blaming us for a supposed decline in social order. In reality, trans and gender diverse people simply want to live their lives openly and safely. We seek acceptance, not upheaval; equality, not superiority. Yet, across many countries, anti-gender rhetoric has taken hold, giving rise to laws that target trans individuals, restrict gender education, and criminalize our very existence.

When political leaders of powerful nations echo these sentiments, it emboldens governments and groups worldwide to implement regressive policies against us. These leaders use trans people as political scapegoats, stoking fear in the public and positioning us as symbols of everything they claim to be fighting against. But this isn't about social values or protecting children; it's about power. It's about using our identities to drive a wedge in society, to create an easy target to rally against. Each attack on our rights, be it in the form of bans on healthcare, education restrictions, or outright criminalization, reinforces a cycle of fear that puts trans lives at risk.

We are also concerned about the future of funding for organizations supporting trans and gender diverse people. The US is one of the largest funders for our communities globally, including initiatives for HIV prevention and support, crisis assistance, and legal aid. Many organizations rely on this funding to provide essential services to our communities, services that would otherwise be unattainable for so many. A shift in US policy, with funding cuts or a reduction in focus on these issues, would have devastating consequences for the world, especially for trans people living in regions where resources are already scarce.

For those of us working on the global HIV response, the stakes are high. Trans people around the world are disproportionately affected by HIV, facing unique structural barriers that make accessing healthcare extremely difficult. In recent years, support from the US has been crucial in helping us tackle this epidemic, but any step backward could undo years of progress. Without sustained funding, trans communities struggling with limited access to testing, treatment, and prevention services will be left even more vulnerable.

To my trans siblings in the United States, please know that you are not alone. I recognize the burden of watching your very existence be treated as a point of contention. I know the pain of seeing your rights debated, restricted, or erased entirely. My heart goes out to you, and I want you to know that GATE is here with you. Across borders and communities, we are in this struggle, and your fight is ours.

We also extend our solidarity to the many organizations and activists who are defending women’s sexual and reproductive rights in this extremely hostile environment. We share so many of the same struggles and we cannot be silent as womens’ right to bodily autonomy is attacked. We will continue to forge partnerships with movements working towards gender equality, bodily autonomy, integrity, agency and freedom from violence.?

This is a critical moment for all of us. As we confront the challenges ahead, we must come together: trans people, allies, activists, organizations, and everyone who believes in the dignity of our identities. We must build coalitions, strategize, and make our voices heard louder than ever. We must protect each other, resist efforts to erase us and strengthen the networks that support us in our struggle for equality.

To continue this work, we need your support! GATE relies on the commitment of allies who believe in our mission to create a world where trans and gender diverse people can live openly and without fear. Every dollar counts in this fight. With your help, we can resist the forces that seek to marginalize us, advocate for meaningful policy changes, and provide resources for those in need. Please consider supporting GATE. Our work, our mission, and our community depend on it.

Now is the time to stand with us. Our identities are being erased, our lives are at stake, and our future hangs in the balance. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are unstoppable.

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