'They Won't Put Us Back in the Closet': Michigan Leaders Respond to Trump’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Orders
And how you can stay informed and engaged

In a devastating escalation of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, President Trump's Day One executive orders have shattered protections for LGBTQ+ Americans — especially our transgender siblings.
Beyond reinstating the trans military ban, Trump signed two additional orders impacting our community: one prohibiting gender-affirming care nationwide for anyone under 19, and another requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents regardless of home safety concerns. The "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" order, which declares that the U.S. officially recognizes only two genders, combined with these new directives, represents an unprecedented federal assault on trans existence and youth safety.
“These executive orders are an attack on the queer community, with particularly severe implications for our transgender community,” Affirmations Executive Director Cheryl Czach told Pride Source. “They ignore reality, are filled with disinformation and are meant to create division and chaos.”
Here's what the trans, nonbinary and allied community needs to understand about what's at stake and how Michigan leaders are responding.
The big picture
Let's be clear: these orders represent an attempt to fundamentally rewrite how the federal government recognizes and treats transgender people. The language here is chillingly familiar to anyone who knows their LGBTQ+ history. Just look at the title's emphasis on "defending" and "restoring," echoing the same inflammatory rhetoric used against civil rights movements in the 1960s.
By framing trans existence as an "attack" on women and institutions, it pulls from the same playbook used against gay marriage, when opponents claimed they were "defending the sanctity of marriage." Even the order's strategic focus on trans women while conspicuously ignoring trans men mirrors historical tactics of singling out specific groups as threats to society. These aren't just words — they're calculated choices that tap into decades-old patterns of resistance to civil rights progress.
What's in these orders?
Identity documents under attack
Remember the progress we made with federal “X” gender markers and updated passports? That's all on the chopping block. One executive order demands that federal documents, including passports and visas, reflect only what the administration is calling “biological sex.” We've seen similar policies in states like Florida and Texas, where some of our community members have already had their driver's licenses revoked. The federal impact could be even more far-reaching. Here in Michigan, state ID and birth certificate laws, including two newly signed laws, should remain unaffected unless Republican legislators seek to change them.
Public schools
One of Trump’s orders would significantly impact transgender and gender non-conforming students in public schools by prohibiting schools from acknowledging transgender identities, requiring parental notification if students request different names/pronouns regardless of safety concerns, banning access to facilities and sports teams matching students' gender identity, and mandating curriculum changes to remove or minimize historical content related to discrimination and social justice regarding race, gender and LGBTQ+ issues.
Federal spaces and facilities
Another order takes direct aim at trans people's access to federal spaces, including national parks, Smithsonian museums, federal airports, VA hospitals — all places where our community could face new restrictions and discrimination. It's reminiscent of the bathroom bills we've fought against, but on a national scale.
Detention and incarceration
For our incarcerated trans siblings, the situation is particularly dire. One of Trump’s orders mandates sex-based housing in federal facilities and cuts off funding for gender-affirming care. We've already witnessed the devastating effects of similar policies in states like Florida, where incarcerated trans women have faced forced haircuts and confiscation of personal items and have been forced into state-sponsored conversion therapy.
Workplace rights at risk
Another Day One order attempts to weaponize the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — yes, the very agency meant to protect workers — against trans employees using facilities that match their gender identity. While similar attempts have failed at the state level, this federal push demands our vigilance.
Rolling back progress
In a particularly cruel move, one of the orders aims to strip away vital protections:
- Title IX guidance protecting trans students
- Anti-bullying protections in schools
- Workplace discrimination protections
- Guidelines protecting intersex youth
Gender-affirming care funding ban
The executive order targeting gender-affirming care has created widespread uncertainty and disruption in healthcare services. Under the order, the federal government will cease funding, sponsoring, promoting, assisting or supporting gender-affirming care for those under 19, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.
Roz Keith, founder of Stand with Trans, told Pride Source her organization is approaching the situation carefully, sharing information as it comes in and guiding community members toward important resources. "There's so much panic that I feel like it's on us to figure out what this all means, stay on top of things, get it out to the community, minimize the panic if we can,” she explained.
Keith says healthcare providers across the country are already responding to the order. "Appointments are being canceled,” she said. One parent she talked to shared that an upcoming appointment for gender-affirming care was canceled at the last minute. Many families are in limbo as their providers determine whether providing gender-affirming care could put funding for their entire medical system at risk. The way the executive order reads, Keith explains, "they can't use federal funds for gender-affirming care. But if they receive federal funding and still provide gender-affirming care, even if they aren't using those funds, well, they could get shut down. That's what's got a lot of providers really scared."
Some families are taking drastic measures, Keith reported. "I just talked to a parent who's actually leaving the country with her trans daughter. First, it is really dreadful that they feel like they have to leave the country. Two, they're very privileged because they have the resources and means to do it. Most people can't even think about moving to the next town or the next state."
What this means for our community
While these orders are undeniably alarming, it's crucial to understand that many of these changes won't happen overnight. Implementation will take time, and you can bet there will be legal challenges every step of the way. Our community has faced similar attacks before, and we've always responded with resilience and unity.
Lambda Legal issued a statement reading, in part, “We are exploring every legal avenue to challenge these unlawful and unconstitutional actions. This is not only about politics and ideology — but also about real people’s lives. To combat these attacks, we are launching our ‘Fearless + Fighting Back’ campaign because our community will not be erased, and Lambda Legal will never stop fighting for justice. In the next four years, we may not be able to litigate every odious anti-LGBTQ policy change, but rest assured, attacks on our communities will not go unanswered.”
“We stand ready to fight alongside our colleagues who likewise are standing up for justice to ensure no one is left behind,” the statement continued.
Michigan LGBTQ+ leaders respond
Openly bisexual Rep. Laurie Pohutsky emphasized the gravity of the situation, telling Pride Source, "Trump's attacks on the trans community are as terrifying as they are calculated, and it's important that we stay focused on preparing ourselves and fighting back at every available opportunity."
Czach notes these orders compel federal agencies to take actions that conflict with both constitutional protections and existing federal law. “That said, the practical consequences could be far-reaching, from the disruption we’ve seen with people’s ability to get accurate identification documents like passports, to undermining crucial non-discrimination protections, and opening people up to harassment, humiliation and intimidation,” she added. “Affirmations remains steadfast in our commitment to fight for our community and to maintain a safe, welcoming and affirming environment.”
Angela Gabridge, executive director of MiGen, refuses to retreat. “There is an effort underway to identify any project, program, grant or organization engaged in what the Federal government considers 'DEI' work, and to claw back or end any federally sourced funding they receive,” she noted. “At MiGen, we have had to build and fund an organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ older adults almost entirely outside of the traditional funding system... That said, it does not mean we will not lose funding."
Gabridge said that, at first, she considered whether it would be wise for the organization to dial back on its typically bold, authentic messaging to Michigan’s older LGBTQ+ community. “I found myself mentally bargaining and thinking maybe we can soften some language, update our website, go lavender instead of rainbow... but you know, I don't think we're going to do that. I don't see how we do that and remain true to ourselves and who we serve."
What you can do now
1. Stay informed but don't panic. Many of these changes will face significant legal hurdles before implementation.
2. Keep your current documents safe. If you've been considering updating any federal documentation, consult with LGBTQ+ legal resources about timing.
3. Connect with advocacy organizations like the ACLU and Lambda Legal. They'll be leading the charge in challenging these measures. And donate if you can.
4. Support one another. Our community's greatest strength has always been our ability to come together in the face of adversity. Visit Affirmations, Stand with Trans, MiGen and other local LGBTQ+ resources in person or attend an online support group.
Remember, we've weathered similar storms before. From Stonewall to the AIDS crisis to marriage equality, our community has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges and emerged stronger. This moment calls for that same resilience, unity and determination to fight for our right to exist and thrive authentically.
Our history shows that hate doesn't win in the long run. While these orders represent a serious challenge, it's also a reminder of why we must continue fighting for true equality and recognition. The path forward may be difficult, but our community has never backed down from a fight for our rights and dignity.
Local leaders like Gabridge are showing up for the community unequivocally. “We press on and hope that our allies in state government, private philanthropy and the corporate sector continue to see us and stand with us,” Gabridge said. “Our folks have earned the right to ‘Age Out Loud’ and to be exactly who they are; the least we can do is continue to stand alongside them. We're not going back in the closet.”