Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: Generated by AI – Gay Globe)
Never in the history of the United States have we witnessed such an imminent purge, notably marked by the appointment of secretaries who share a common goal: the erasure of LGBTQ+ communities. Certainly, there was a time when FBI Director John Edgar Hoover attacked anyone opposing government policies by accusing them of being communists. However, today we stand on the brink of an even more troubling reality: the erasure of decades of hard-earned social rights. This also impacts the management of HIV/AIDS, and here’s why:
Senator Marco Rubio, a candidate for Secretary of State, has a long history of attacks at all levels against LGBT communities, whether in the military, in education, or in access to medical treatments for transgender people.
Matt Gaetz, a contender for Attorney General, has opposed federal protections for LGBTQ+ people in Congress, such as the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various public life domains, as well as the Respect for Marriage Act, a law signed by President Joe Biden to protect LGBTQ+ marriage. Last year, he supported legislation aimed at preventing school sports programs from allowing trans girls to participate in girls’ sports.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a candidate for Secretary of Health, recently described gender-affirming care as a “non-existential issue,” but he has still weighed in on it by supporting a ban on certain treatments, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.
We must face the reality: the cabinet that President-elect Donald Trump aims to put in place will seek to legitimize all beliefs and prejudices against our communities. It will primarily allow decisions with very grave consequences for the lives of sexual minorities, not only in this country but also globally. Many governments will not miss the opportunity to celebrate this return to a great darkness for all of us.
How to react and protect ourselves?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many solutions to protect ourselves from what may happen. The Senate, in its investigation and confirmation process of nominations, could reject some of these cabinet candidates, but it could also simply withdraw from the process and let the President proceed with the nominations without any possibility of opposition.
This is called « recess appointments. » Recess appointments refer to a procedure in the United States that allows the President to temporarily fill certain important positions without waiting for Senate confirmation when the Senate is in recess or out of session. These appointments are meant to ensure the functioning of institutions in the absence of immediate legislative approval, but they are often seen as controversial because they bypass the usual process of Senate scrutiny and debate. The individuals appointed this way can serve until the end of the next legislative session unless confirmed in the meantime.
It would be a completely anti-democratic move, allowing not only President Trump but also his cohort of cabinet members to take action without any interference from Congress. We’ve seen this before, in Germany, Italy, and Spain, and we know how it ended.
Let’s wish ourselves good luck!