Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: AI / Gay Globe)
The current world has never been as disturbed and disorganized since World War II, and observers are unanimous in pointing to American President Donald Trump as the primary cause of the current global situation.
At all levels of his administration, government, relationships with countries and international organizations, as well as his interactions with close allies and the historical enemies of the United States, Donald Trump, under the guise of doing politics differently, is sowing chaos. The new world order he is attempting to establish will not be easy to repair.
Inflation, suicides, job losses, wars… it’s all there! In the face of this impending disaster, the history of gay and lesbian communities is full of examples of resilience and survival against all odds. These examples are ones that countries around the world could draw inspiration from to face the Trump storm.
What are these examples we could draw inspiration from?
The fight against HIV is one of the first and most important examples of resilience in the face of a plague that caused enormous human losses, but also a significant degradation in the quality of life within the gay and lesbian community.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic deeply transformed the gay community, uniting them against a common enemy: the inaction of the governments at the time, social stigmatization, and the widespread fear of a « cancer » whose transmission mode was not yet known. Confronted with a deadly disease that hit them head-on, gay individuals had to organize, create support networks, and demand their rights with unprecedented determination.
The urgency of the situation pushed activists, artists, and intellectuals to unite their voices to break the silence and demand treatments, better medical care, and recognition of their dignity.
This crisis strengthened the sense of belonging and mutual support within the community, turning suffering into a powerful driving force for mobilization. Activism gave birth to iconic groups like ACT UP, who knew how to defy authorities and push HIV/AIDS to the forefront as a global priority.
Thanks to this solidarity, medical and social advancements were achieved, even in related fields such as cancer and other autoimmune diseases.
The fight for equality of gays and lesbians in Quebec has been marked by a relentless battle against discrimination, exclusion, and invisibility. Thanks to the mobilization of activists and eventually the general public, legal advancements were made, gradually recognizing our fundamental rights.
This movement transformed Quebec society by breaking prejudices and fostering broader acceptance of diversity. Despite the ongoing resistances still present today and more than ever, this struggle led to essential legal and social recognition for inclusion and equality.
The fight of gays and lesbians in Quebec for the right to marry was a struggle for the recognition of their love and equality before the law. Despite social and political resistance, activists advocated for the elimination of discrimination by demonstrating that excluding marriage was an injustice. Thanks to legal advances and growing public support, Quebec played a key role in the adoption of same-sex marriage in Canada in 2005.
The same applies to adoption and parenting. In Quebec, the right to adopt for same-sex couples was recognized in 2002, making Quebec the first Canadian province to grant this right. This reform allowed gay and lesbian couples to jointly adopt children, a major step toward family equality. Simultaneously, access to parenting also evolved, notably with the recognition of same-sex parents on birth certificates and the gradual opening to assisted reproduction.
The life of gay and lesbian individuals in Quebec and Canada in 2025 has become a determining factor for many societies traditionally resistant to advancing rights for same-sex individuals.
Can this example of resilience apply to the troubles caused and to come by Donald Trump? Certainly.
Just as gay and lesbian individuals had to overcome major obstacles to secure fundamental rights, societies confronted with the divisions created by Trump will also need to demonstrate resilience in the face of his actions and polarizing rhetoric.
If the struggle for equality has allowed many communities to grow stronger, a similar response may be necessary to mitigate the destructive effects of the political turmoil generated by Trump. Solidarity remains the best way to combat despots, whatever they may be.
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