T-Minus 14 days Until The Beginning Of The Trump Presidency (LGBT)

Donald Trump will be sworn in in 2 weeks.  As we ponder that panic, let's look back at a few episodes from the past 8 years - all with the understanding that Trump would never/could never be able to accomplish any of it.

After the panic, we should ponder what we're losing.

March 31, 2016.

In a Presidential Proclamation for LGBT Pride Month, 2016, President Obama wrote:

Since our founding, America has advanced on an unending path toward becoming a more perfect Union. This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to forge a more inclusive society. They have spurred sweeping progress by changing hearts and minds and by demanding equal treatment -- under our laws, from our courts, and in our politics. This month, we recognize all they have done to bring us to this point, and we recommit to bending the arc of our Nation toward justice.

Last year's landmark Supreme Court decision guaranteeing marriage equality in all 50 States was a historic victory for LGBT Americans, ensuring dignity for same-sex couples and greater equality across State lines. For every partnership that was not previously recognized under the law and for every American who was denied their basic civil rights, this monumental ruling instilled newfound hope, affirming the belief that we are all more free when we are treated as equals.

LGBT individuals deserve to know their country stands beside them.

 Donald Trump pledged to sign the First Amendment Defense Act into law. From the Congressional Summary:

Prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or (2) sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.

And Mike Pence, as Governor of Indiana, signed a state-wide version of the same law in 2015:

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act would allow any individual or corporation to cite its religious beliefs as a defense when sued by a private party. But many opponents of the bill, which included business leaders, argued that it could open the door to widespread discrimination. Business owners who don’t want to serve same-sex couples, for example, could now have legal protections to discriminate.

So in the name of protecting the First Amendment, this is what they're gonna do: if you're unmarried and fucking your girlfriend or boyfriend (whether you're cis or trans, gay or straight), you can be denied a place at the lunch counter at Woolworth's and your religious freedom-protecting guv'ment isn't going to protect you.

Making America Great Again, one act of religious discrimination at a time.

Time to ponder what we're losing.