Pride, health and the inclusivity crisis
In recent years, healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals, such as gender-affirming surgeries, hormone replacement therapy, and non-heterosexual sex education, has faced growing restrictions. Given President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming administration, and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement's influence, LGBTQ+ healthcare has become a focal point for political and societal dispute.
A common conservative viewpoint emphasizes traditional principles, often resisting progressive changes including LGBTQ+ rights. Religious beliefs deeply influence these values, and the recent election in favor of conservatives may lead to a government restricting healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. Trump has promised in his campaign advertisements on the Truth Social platform that as president, he will withdraw Medicare and Medicaid funding from hospitals that offer gender transition treatment to minors.
These restrictions could harm the mental health of LGBTQ+ students struggling with gender dysphoria, barriers in sports and parental abuse. This in turn raises the risk of suicide and self-harm as LGBTQ+ youth face heightened systemic discrimination and limited access to healthcare. According to the National Library of Medicine, the suicide attempt rate among transgender people ranges between 32 and 50 percent worldwide as they fear the potential decrease in their rights. Many people including Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) President James Revzen (’25) have expressed that finding LGBTQ+ education and healthcare has become limited.
“Being a queer person, I feel like… when you don’t have access to resources, it’s kind of a struggle," Revzen said. "It’s really important for us to know about queer health… but with new regulations, it's going to be a lot harder to find things like a doctor that will see me for [gender-affirming care]."
Although the LGBTQ+ community continues to face struggles for equitable healthcare, some areas remain safe for queer individuals. Conservative states like Florida are proposing laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights, such as The Parental Rights in Education Act — otherwise known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — prohibiting classroom discussion about sexuality or gender. However, under Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership, the liberal California state government has continued to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community by signing new legislation to protect against conservative policies, and also by becoming the first state to prohibit schools from outing LGBTQ+ students. This ensures Samo students and others in the state of California to feel safer and more secure in their identities knowing their privacy is protected. According to the Governor of California's official website, Governor Newsom has expressed California's pride in their inclusivity and support for the community.
“California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we’re committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians,” Newsom's statement said.