Photo: realdonaldtrump (Instagram)
As I'm sure most of you are already aware, Donald Trump is the next President of the United States of America. His election came as a huge shock to Americans across the nation, especially those of us within the LGBT community. Many of us are left feeling hopeless, worried what Trump will bring into our nation as he serves in the White House.
But there are steps we can take now to protect and support one another, especially as we fear far-right and alt-right growth. Here are five actions that all of us can start doing right now to assure our lives and futures are safe:
1.) Volunteer in Your Community
Look into shelters, youth centers, and clinics that need volunteers. Work with soup kitchens or support groups for at-risk LGBT youth. Put your time and energy on the line, and you'll pay it forward in ways you won't be able to imagine.
2.) Donate to Centers
Make sure to donate to programs like the Transgender Law Center and the National LGBTQ Task Force. These programs do vital work to protect LGBT people and will be the vanguards we need to prevent our community from losing the rights we've worked so hard to maintain.
3.) Be There For Each Other
Today is an emotional day for everyone involved. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is sit down next to someone we care about and listen to them. If they need to cry, give a shoulder to cry on. If they're angry, let them be angry. We all need to express ourselves, and knowing someone is there to listen and understand is healing in a way that very few other actions are.
4.) Get Out and Start Promoting Progressive Candidates
Imagine if Bernie Sanders was up against Trump? It's safe to say his chances would've been much higher. In 2016, let's try to create a similar circumstance for the world. And that means getting out now and supporting grassroots candidates that put the LGBT community first and foremost.
5.) If You See Something, Do Something
Don't be a bystander. If you see someone being harassed, step in. If you come across bigoted vandalism, tell someone. Make your community safer now and set a good precedent today. If we do, we can fight back against bigots that live in our own areas.
