Pride has never been just a party for many people in my LGBTQ+ family. I still love a parade and an excuse to day-drink with glitter on my cheeks (both), but Pride 2025 felt heavier. I came out as gay in 2005, and the world feels scarier today.
I’ve spent years in government technology and have seen policy used against vulnerable communities before. The attacks in 2025 feel more coordinated and more cruel. I have also watched people organize against them.
When the Government Comes for Kids
On June 17th, the Trump administration announced they were shutting down the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth services1 Trump administration to shut down LGBTQ youth suicide hotline . You know, the hotline that had helped 1.3 million young LGBTQ+ people since 2022. The one serving kids who are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The timing was deliberate and cruel.
This came after January’s executive orders that essentially erased trans people from federal recognition2 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government and banned gender-affirming care for anyone under 193 2025 in LGBTQ rights - Wikipedia . Because apparently, “protecting children” now means denying them life-saving medical care and cutting off their suicide prevention resources.
But here’s the thing about targeting kids — it pisses off literally everyone who has a functioning heart. And that seems to include a lot of Republicans who suddenly discovered they have trans grandchildren and gay nephews.
Schoolhouse Rock Gone Wrong
The statistics this year read like a horror novel set in a legislative house in hell. 942 anti-transgender bills under consideration across 49 states4 2025 Anti-Trans Bills: Trans Legislation Tracker . Nine hundred and forty-two. That’s a coordinated campaign.
And it’s working. The Supreme Court dropped their anti-trans healthcare decision right in the middle of Pride month—June 18th5 Supreme Court Shuts Down Access to Healthcare for Transgender Youth . Twenty-seven states now ban some form of gender-affirming care for kids. Six states make providing such care a felony. The hate crime numbers? 2,949 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents reported to the FBI, with more than one in five of all hate crimes now targeting our community6 FBI’s Annual Crime Report — Amid State of Emergency, Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes Hit Staggering Record Highs . GLAAD tracked an additional 918 incidents just in 2024—that’s 2.5 attacks on LGBTQ+ people every single day7 2025 GLAAD ALERT Desk Report .
These aren’t just numbers. They’re our friends, our kids, our community members getting harassed, threatened, and hurt for existing. This is my family.
Corporate Cowardice
And where were our supposed corporate allies during all this? Mostly hiding behind carefully worded statements about “focusing on our core business values” while quietly withdrawing Pride sponsorships. 39% of corporations scaled back their public LGBTQ+ engagement this year8 Big brands are staying quiet this Pride Month . Target—Target—got rejected as a sponsor by Twin Cities Pride because they’d already caved to right-wing pressure.
Honestly? Good for those Pride organizers. We’re all tired of companies that want our money but won’t stand with us when it gets hard. The retreat of corporate sponsors forced Pride events back to their grassroots, activist roots. The budgets were smaller, the parties less flashy, but the message was louder: we’re not going away.
Elsewhere in the World
There were bright spots elsewhere. Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage on January 23rd, with over 1,754 couples getting married on day one9 Couples wed as landmark same-sex marriage law takes effect in Thailand . Australia completed nationwide non-binary recognition10 2025 in LGBT Rights History | Timeline | Equaldex . The Czech Republic ditched sterilization requirements for legal gender changes11 2025 in LGBT Rights History | Timeline | Equaldex .
There were setbacks, too. The UK Supreme Court decided that trans women aren’t legally women12 Trans women aren’t legally women: What the UK Supreme Court ruling means . Hungary passed a constitutional ban on LGBTQ+ events13 Hungary passes constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ public events as Viktor Orbán continued his slide into authoritarianism. People kept fighting back: Budapest’s mayor organized Pride as a “municipal celebration of freedom,” with backing from 33 foreign embassies and tens of thousands of people turning out14 Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community reels under Orban’s new laws, Pride ban .
WorldPride
For WorldPride in Washington, DC, 2–3 million people descended on the nation’s capital during the most hostile federal environment in decades15 WorldPride ends with rally and march on National Mall . The parade route passed within one block of the White House. The National Park Service initially blocked access to a park on the route, but organizers pushed back and won.
This was a demonstration as much as a celebration. Jennifer Lopez performed. RuPaul showed up. Kamala Harris sent a video message. Millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered to reject the government’s attempt to erase us.
The “March For All” initiative let people march on behalf of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide who can’t march safely themselves16 International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom . In a year when visibility felt dangerous, making ourselves seen became an act of solidarity with those who couldn’t.
Political Wins
At least we’re getting better representation in government. Sarah McBride became the first trans member of Congress. Julie Johnson became the first LGBTQ+ representative from a Southern state. Emily Randall made history as the first LGBTQ+ Latina in Congress17 New congressional resolution would make June 26 ‘Equality Day’ celebrating LGBTQ+ victories . Twelve LGBTQ+ House members total—a record.
It matters to have people in power who understand that our rights aren’t theoretical policy debates but literal life-and-death issues for their constituents.
The Organizations Doing the Real Work
Every single one of our lives is better with trans people in it. Trans people are teachers, doctors, artists, engineers, parents, friends. They’re the nurse who holds your hand in the hospital, the teacher who sees potential in the weird kid, the neighbor who checks on your elderly parent.
The fight against trans rights isn’t really about bathrooms or sports. It’s about whether we’re going to be the kind of society that protects its most vulnerable members or throws them to the wolves for political points.
Trans people—especially trans women of color—have been at the forefront of every major LGBTQ+ rights victory. Stonewall was led by trans women like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. The movement for marriage equality was built on decades of groundwork laid by trans activists who never got to see their own recognition.
We owe them everything. And right now, they need us to show up. So, as we finish the month of June, I want to draw your attention to three organizations that deserve your money right now:
Trans Lifeline runs the only national crisis hotline staffed entirely by trans operators. They refuse to call emergency services without caller consent, understanding that police involvement often makes situations worse for trans people, especially trans people of color. With a 4/4 star Charity Navigator rating, they’ve been literally saving lives since 201418 Trans Lifeline - Wikipedia .
Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) emerged from merging two powerhouse organizations—the National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. They’re the people fighting in courts and Congress, with a perfect 100% Charity Navigator score and over 20 years of experience getting things done19 Charity Navigator - Rating for Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund .
Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led civil rights organization, prioritizing BIPOC communities and fighting landmark cases like the one that established rights for transgender inmates. Also rated 100% by Charity Navigator, they’ve been in the trenches since 200220 Transgender Law Center - Wikipedia .
Donate at transgenderlawcenter.org
The Work Continues
Pride 2025 reminded me why I got into civic tech. Software cannot end systemic oppression, but it can help trans people find safe bathrooms, connect LGBTQ+ youth with supportive adults, and track anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
These laws do real harm, as do the companies and publications that give their authors cover. They still cannot make us stop existing.
We’re still here. We’re still fighting. And we’re still beautiful.
Support the organizations above, and show up for your trans friends and neighbors.