Though the White House indicated Jan. 30 that President Donald Trump would not be issuing an executive order adversely affecting the LGBT community, national LGBT organizations and their allies—and some local openly gay politicians—said the following day that they were nevertheless ready for a fight.
Several leaders from advocacy organizations gathered at the Washington, D.C. headquarters of Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Jan. 31, in response to leaks that had circulated the previous day that Trump would be issuing an order that, at least, would reverse an Obama-era order that protected the rights of LGBT workers at firms with federal contracts. Obama's order, issued in 2014, effectively protected about 20 percent of the U.S. work force.
After the leaks circulated on social media and in the press, the Trump Administration issued a statement that said no such order was planned, and that Trump supported LGBT rights.
But for members of the coalition gathered at HRC headquarters, the Trump statement offered no assurances about what's in store for the LGBT community and allies whose freedoms are being threatened in this new administration.
"Donald Trump has done nothing but undermine our equality since he set foot in the White House," said HRC President Chad Griffin. He noted that Trump had pledged to sign the First Amendment Defense Act, legislation proposed in 2015 that would in effect be a federal version of the so-called religious freedom bill that passed in Indiana that same year, when Vice President Mike Pence was governor. Griffin noted that a particular concern was if Trump decided to push the regulation through as an executive order.
He also reminded the gathering that, even without a specifically anti-LGBT order, members of the community who are female, Muslim, Hispanic or refugees or asylum seekers are in peril.
"When Donald Trump attacks one of us, he is going to hear from all of us," Griffin said.
Greisa Martinez of the immigrant-youth organization United We Dream said, "Donald Trump is an abuser. … We know that an abuser should not be applauded for holding back a single blow, especially when we know that there are many more to come."
The rally featured speakers from American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, National Center for Transgender Equality, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National LGBT Task Force, Planned Parenthood and Council on American-Islamic Relations, among others.
Meanwhile, other rights-organizations issued statements about the events of Jan. 30.
Immigration Equality Action Fund's Executive Director Aaron C. Morris said, "Whatever President Trump may claim about protecting LGBTQ rights, he has already passed policies that put queer people in great danger. His executive orders on immigration have stranded thousands of LGBTQ around the world, many in unsafe countries. His virulent rhetoric has also put queer immigrants' lives at risk right here in the United States. And, many of Mr. Trump's cabinet appointees have a history of hostility toward LGBTQ people … we can only expect more of the same from his Supreme Court nominee."
National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell added that Trump's statement was "not a step forward. We remain concerned by reports that the President intends to issue an order creating new religious exemptions that will permit discrimination against LGBT people and others. This is also a distraction from the imminent announcement of a Supreme Court nominee, which is the most important issue for our community. The Senate must reject any nominee who will turn back the clock on our nation's commitment to the equality and freedom of LGBT people, including the fundamental right to marry and to be treated equally to other married couples."
A coalition of Chicago-area openly gay and lesbian politicians also responded in a Jan. 31 statement.
Making note of the national coalition, the statement said, "Whether President Trump signs an Executive Order attacking LGBTQ rights today, next week or not at all, these communities refuse to be divided.
"The same is true here in Illinois. We will continue to speak out on behalf of all people targeted by this administration's policies and urge our fellow LGBTQ community members and allies not to be fooled by today's latest rumor that he might not take aim at us. We are all at risk.
"We will continue to stand nationally and locally as one to let President Trump know we will not allow one another to be victimized, now or ever. Every outrageous executive fiat only grows and strengthens our coalition.
"We will not be divided, and we will not get tired."
The statement was signed by State Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Greg Harris, and Sam Yingling; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore; and Alds. Deb Mell, Tom Tunney, James Cappleman, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Raymond Lopez.
