On June 18, 2025—just 149 days into Donald Trump’s return to the presidency—two devastating decisions came down.
Two blows.
One day.
And right in the middle of Pride Month.
First, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors in a 6–3 decision that will reverberate across the country. This isn’t about “protecting kids.” This is about punishing trans youth. It’s about fear, power, and control—disguised as policy.
The Court said it’s constitutional for a state to deny puberty blockers and hormone therapy—even when doctors support it, parents approve it, and the care is necessary for the child’s health and safety. The majority opinion called it a state’s right to legislate. But let’s not pretend this is neutral legal theory. It’s cruelty, codified.
Justice Sotomayor, in a scathing dissent, warned that this ruling puts vulnerable children at increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide. She’s right. These are life-and-death consequences, and the justices know it.
Then—on the very same day—the Trump administration announced plans to shut down the LGBTQ-specific option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
That specialized support line had handled more than 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats in just three years. It connected people with crisis counselors trained to understand the unique mental health needs of LGBTQ+ youth and adults. It saved lives.
And now it’s gone.
This isn’t a coincidence. This is the playbook.
Deny gender-affirming care. Eliminate tailored crisis support. Make Pride Month feel like an obituary.
In case it wasn’t obvious, the LGBTQ+ community is under attack. Not just in rhetoric. In law. In access to healthcare. In public policy. In crisis response systems. And it’s coming from the highest levels of government—especially now, under a Trump administration emboldened to act quickly, quietly, and without shame.
I’ve spent 15 years as a public defender, fighting to protect those most marginalized by our systems. And I’ve never seen an administration move this fast to erase protections for an entire group of people.
This isn’t about political disagreement. This is about survival.
So here’s what you can do:
Call your Legislators, Senators, and Representatives. Demand local and federal protections for gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ mental health services.
Donate to organizations like Trans Lifeline and The Trevor Project.
Talk about it. Share this. Make sure your friends, family, and followers understand what’s happening.
Because silence is complicity—and they’re counting on our silence.
Not here. Not now. Not ever.
In Solidarity,
Eliza
If you value this kind of reporting and refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice, subscribe now and share this post. The attacks are accelerating—and we need every voice, every platform, and every ounce of truth we’ve got.
Share this post