News and Views from the People's Struggle
Appleton, WI – Hundreds of workers, queer activists and community members flooded Houdini Plaza in Appleton, Wisconsin, on May 1, International Workers Day, kicking off a march that would face police repression before triumphantly returning to cheers of public support.
Tallahassee, FL – On Saturday, April 19, Students for a Democratic Society held their Queer Rave fundraiser at The Bark. The event had been in the works for a couple of months, but after the mass shooting at Florida State University on April 17, SDS members were unsure of how to move forward. On that tragic Thursday, two non-students – Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba – were killed and six others were wounded by the shooter.
The April 5 demonstrations across the country saw hundreds of thousands taking to the streets. Countless others were inspired by the numbers of people willing to take a stand right now against the Trump administration. At these marches were everyday people from all walks of life; workers, students, activists and families were raising their voices to demand change. There will be more of these kinds of actions ahead. They are a test for us. Will we step up to unite all who can be united against Trump and the billionaire class he serves? If we sit this one out, we lose by forfeit.
New Orleans, LA – On April 7, over 20 students and faculty members showed up to protest Amy Coney Barrett’s talk at Loyola Law School. Barrett is a Supreme Court Justice appointed by Donald Trump in 2020. She is one of the most conservative justices, who pushed forward the overturn of Roe v Wade in 2022.
Orlando, FL – On March 31, University of Central Florida (UCF) Students for a Democratic Society, Young Poet Society, and Young Democratic-Socialists of America came together to hold an open mic and fundraiser for Trans Day of Visibility, with all proceeds going towards Central Florida Mutual Aid’s Trans Safety Fund.
The goal of this event was to platform trans and queer voices on campus amid attacks on LGBTQ rights, including the recent unanimous decision by the UCF board of trustees to make it a conduct charge to use a bathroom that does not correspond with one’s “sex assigned at birth.”
New Orleans, LA – On the afternoon of April 5, over 1000 New Orleanians gathered in Lafayette Square Park downtown. They were gathered as part of a national day of action to demand end the attacks on immigrants, on freedom of speech, students, union rights, LGBTQ folks and many other segments of the people.
Denver, CO – On March 31, over 150 Community members gathered in front of UC Anschutz Medical Campus, to demand expansion and protection of gender affirming care. Recent cuts to trans healthcare in Colorado have put many trans patients unsure of receiving life saving, life affirming healthcare.
Along with these demands protesters demanded that UC Anshutz cease its union busting tactics and forgive medical debt, after the launch of a cruel harassment campaign to demand payment from patients who cannot afford their treatments.
Speakers passionately addressed the injustice they face daily in a system that regularly denies them respect and dignity.
Kat Draken of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “We need to be telling people who the enemy is! It’s not trans people, it’s not immigrants, it’s the ruling class!”
This rally comes after over 800 anti-trans bills have been filed across the United States, including a recently filed bill in Texas that would make identifying as transgender a felony. As the enemy ramps up its attacks on queer and other people across the country, many have chosen to stand up and fight back!
Neenah, WI – On Sunday March 30, Hate Free Outagamie hosted an event celebrating Trans Day of Visibility. Nearly 200 community members of all ages gathered at a local park shelter to celebrate the struggles of the trans community. Attendees created art and photos, listened to speeches and workshops, and networked with other community organizations.
In their opening speech, Green Bay Anti War co-chair Lana Ksionek spoke about the importance of calling upon the strength of our trans elders such as Sylvia Rivera, and to take inspiration from them in our fight for trans liberation today.
Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, March 28, 200 protesters gathered outside of Walker Library to rally against escalating attacks targeting the trans community.
Protesters demanded an end to the compliance with Trump’s transphobic executive orders and policies, and an end to the barriers to HRT access in the state, for Minneapolis to become a sanctuary city for trans people, and for Minneapolis Public Schools to expand protections for trans youth. Protesters also demanded justice for Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota killed in a racist and transphobic hate crime.
Por el Equipo de Trabajo del Movimiento LGBTQ y de las Mujeres de la OSCL
La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad se solidariza con todas las personas trans en su lucha por justicia y liberación en el Día de la Visibilidad Trans. Históricamente, las personas trans han enfrentado opresión sistemática en todos los sectores de la sociedad, y hacer una transición pública casi siempre significaba perder tu comunidad, tu empleo, y posiblemente hasta tu vida.
La administración de Trump quiere traer de regreso esos días a los Estados Unidos. La administración ha declarado que las personas trans no existen y que los Estados Unidos solo reconocerá dos sexos. No ha habido ninguna lucha coordinada contra esta orden ejecutiva ni contra otros ataques a la población trans por parte de políticos demócratas. Algunos incluso aplauden o apoyan en silencio estos ataques.
Los ataques de Trump a la financiación escolar buscan eliminar los programas de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión (DEI), haciendo más probable que no se recopilen datos sobre estudiantes y trabajadores trans. Después de sensacionalizar a las atletas trans, él quiere eliminarlas de los deportes. Usando este chivo expiatorio, el presiona para lograr una eliminación total en la educación y más allá.
Los reaccionarios que quieren remover a las personas trans de la vida pública y arrebatarles cada victoria de derechos civiles que gente LGBTQ ha ganado solo pueden ser derrotados de una manera. Debemos construir un movimiento de masas donde liderazgo trans desafíe visible y audazmente a la clase dominante. Y debemos unirnos con todos los pueblos oprimidos para crear una lucha política que todo el poder económico, militar y político de los Estados Unidos no pueda igualar.
En todo el país, miembros de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad han encabezado la lucha por la liberación LGBTQ y de las mujeres al oponerse en contra de proyectos de ley anti-LGBTQ, organizando eventos para el Día Internacional de las Mujeres, y construyendo organizaciones LGBTQ donde sea posible.
OSCL está involucrado en luchas contra los centros de crisis de embarazo que intentan manipular y engañar a las mujeres embarazadas, se ha organizado para recuperar el orgullo LGBT de corporaciones y la policía, y se ha movilizado para proteger a jóvenes LGBTQ. El Día de la Visibilidad Trans no puede ser donde termina nuestra organización por la lucha trans y LGBTQ en particular. Cada vez que la represión y la reacción derechista ataque a pueblos oprimidos, es el deber de los verdaderos revolucionarios oponerse dondequiera que lo vean. Nuestro trabajo debe unir la lucha por la liberación trans con todos los movimientos que actualmente luchan por liberarse de la explotación, para que podamos acabar con el dominio de los capitalistas monopolistas y crear un sistema socialista donde el poder pertenezca a los oprimidos, no a los explotadores.
The Freedom Road Socialist Organization stands in solidarity with all trans people seeking justice and liberation on Transgender Day of Visibility. Historically, transgender people have been systematically oppressed in all sectors of society, and publicly transitioning would almost certainly mean the loss of your community, your employment, and possibly even your life.
Dallas, TX – Over 300 community members marched through the Dallas Oak Lawn “gayborhood,” Sunday, March 23 to protest the spread of anti-LGBTQ bills and laws sweeping the country. Attendees gathered at the Cathedral of Hope in Oak Lawn for speeches calling attention to the diverse needs of the queer and trans community in this political moment. The rally, called by Texas Latino Pride, spoke to the heightened attacks faced by trans women, disabled, Black, and brown queer and trans folks.
Colorado Springs, CO – On March 8, International Women's Day, the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) organized a demonstration at the Pioneer's Museum to protest Trump's reactionary agenda that attacks women and LGBTQ people and their rights. About 300 people gathered, many chanted, “Women are unstoppable, a better world is possible!”
New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, March 8, about 70 people gathered in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans in honor of this year’s International Women’s Day.
The crowd rallied around a banner demanding “Protect women’s and trans rights! From Palestine to Mexico, end all family separations!” Several speakers from grassroots movements discussed the urgency of gender liberation and the need to carry on the legacy of resistance from the revolutionary women of the past.
Across the world, International Women’s Day has always been more than a celebration – it is a day of struggle. It was forged in the fight of New York City garment workers who took to the streets in 1908, to protest the super-exploitation they endured in sweatshops as they tried to support their families: dangerous working conditions, back-breaking hours, child labor and wage theft. They marched shoulder to shoulder with the suffragettes fighting for women’s right to vote. The revolutionary hero Clara Zetkin marked March 8th as a global day of action as a way to unite women worldwide in the fight for socialism and liberation.
Por el Equipo de Trabajo del Movimiento LGBTQ y de las Mujeres de la OSCL
Parece que Trump firma cada orden ejecutiva discriminatoria antes de que se haya secado la tinta de la anterior. No se ha tardado ni se ha guardado ningún golpe al atacar a las personas trans.
Las órdenes ejecutivas más recientes incluyen retener fondos federales como rehén para prohibir que los atletas trans participen en deportes y que los niños trans reciban atención médica. Basada en pseudociencia, una orden ejecutiva declara que “es política de los Estados Unidos reconocer dos sexos”. Esto borra a los miles de personas cisgénero intersexual que viven en los Estados Unidos. La misma orden exige que se prohíba a las mujeres trans usar los baños de mujeres en edificios federales, y llama a los compañeros de trabajo a volverse unos contra otros para reportarlos. También prohíbe cambiar los marcadores de género en los pasaportes.
Trump está impulsando legislación que permitiría a los padres demandar a los proveedores médicos por ofrecer atención para afirmación de género a los niños, mientras castiga simultáneamente a los padres y trabajadores de la salud por respetar la autonomía de los jóvenes transgénero. Él también está prohibiendo que las mujeres trans usen refugios para víctimas de abuso y que sean alojadas con mujeres en las prisiones, efectivamente agravando la violencia sexual contra ellas.
Estas órdenes llegan después de cientos de proyectos de ley anti-LGBTQ introducidos por gobiernos estatales reaccionarios en un contragolpe después de la derrota de Trump en 2020. Exponen el rostro abiertamente reaccionario de un imperio en decadencia atacando, tratando de salvar el sistema opresivo del que depende.
Son la punta de lanza en un ataque total contra las mujeres y las personas LGBTQ. La orden de “dos sexos” define que el género comienza “en la concepción,” abriendo la puerta a la peligrosa noción de personalidad fetal. La prohibición de la atención para afirmación de género establece que las personas trans llevan a cabo “una guerra perdida contra sus propios cuerpos,” cuestionando tanto la autonomía corporal como el derecho de las personas a definir sus propias identidades.
La idea de que estas órdenes de alguna manera “protegen a las mujeres” es una mentira. No solo exponen a las mujeres trans y cisgénero a un escrutinio innecesario y traumático de sus cuerpos, sino que tampoco hacen nada para proteger a las mujeres de los verdaderos perpetradores de violencia. Cuando la mayoría de los ataques contra las mujeres ocurren en sus relaciones íntimas con hombres o mientras viven sus vidas en público, regular la participación de las personas trans en la vida pública es una distracción absurda de los verdaderos problemas en nuestra sociedad.
Estas órdenes también limitarán los derechos de las mujeres de nacionalidades oprimidas y de clase trabajadora. La prohibición en los deportes impide que las mujeres trans y las personas no conforme con el género entren al país, abriendo la puerta al racismo contra cualquier mujer considerada demasiado masculina. Las prohibiciones en los deportes y la atención para afirmación de género amenazan con retener los almuerzos gratis en las escuelas, así como los fondos de Medicare y Medicaid a los hospitales que no cumplan con la discriminación contra las personas transgénero.
La OSCL se opone firmemente a estas políticas reaccionarias dirigidas contra nuestros miembros trans de la comunidad. Estos ataques tienen como objetivo intimidar, confundir y abrumar. No lo permitiremos. Uniremos a todos quienes puedan unirse en contra de la agenda de Trump y del movimiento político retrógrado que él representa. Esperamos con ansias luchar en las calles.
By Lain Dorsey
Tallahassee, FL – On February 19, Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society held a rally to celebrate the restoration of LGBTQ+ housing at Florida State University and to voice support for FSU’s queer community.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society.
At the start of the Spring 2025 semester, FSU Admin secretly axed LGBTQ+ Housing – which provides much needed accommodations to transgender and queer students living on campus without communicating their decision to any students, or even the Inter-Residence Hall Council (IHRC). This comes amid escalating attacks on the rights and autonomy of queer and trans people by the reactionary Trump administration and the ruling Florida Republican Party.
Grand Rapids, MI – At Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 15, around 80 people gathered to hear speakers stressing solidarity with the immigrant and queer communities. The event’s purpose was to spread awareness and further mobilization, while also stressing the connections between the two struggles.
It seems like Trump signs each bigoted executive order before the ink dries on the last. He hasn’t spared any time or pulled any punches in attacking trans people.
The latest executive orders include holding federal funds hostage to bar trans athletes from sports and trans kids from receiving healthcare. Based on pseudoscience, one executive order declares that “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes.” This erases the thousands of cisgender intersex people living in the United States. The same order mandates that trans women be barred from women’s restrooms in federal buildings, and it calls on coworkers to turn against each other to report them. It also prohibits changing gender markers on passports.