Over 200 people braved pouring rain and heavy winds Saturday, Feb. 22, to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights that are under attack by the federal government.
Starting at Bellingham City Hall, protesters marched in the middle of the street, chanting “trans rights are human rights” among others. Organizers wearing bright orange vests directed traffic and car honks signaled support for what speakers described as resistance through joy.
In the month since taking office, President Donald Trump has targeted members of the LGBTQ+ community through a number of executive orders. Orders ranged from not issuing new passports that reflect anything other than assigned sex at birth, to banning transgender people from serving in the military.
At the protest Saturday, chants of “Stonewall was a riot” rung out in reference to the 1969 riot at Stonewall Inn in New York City, which later became a national monument in 2016. References to transgender Americans at the Stonewall National Monument were removed by Trump on Feb. 13, leading to several hundred people gathering in New York City to protest the erasure of trans activists, including Marsha P. Johnson, who expanded queer rights.
Trump also issued an executive order banning federal funding for people under 19 who seek access to gender-affirming care. That can include either through insurance or through hospitals that receive federal funds for research. Days after the order was inked, Seattle Children’s Hospital postponed a gender-affirming surgery for a 16-year-old trans child.
Trump’s order was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Seattle on Feb. 14, stating it discriminates against trans youth and is unlikely to survive constitutional scrutiny.
At Depot Market Square, protesters gathered under awnings away from rain that had soaked through jackets and dampened signs and transgender flags.
One speaker, who did not give their name, said “gender was an expression of humanity, not a performance” and that trans and non-binary people had the right to live as their authentic selves.
Samuel Bradford reminded people that “identities are valid and our existence isn’t up for debate.”
Speakers encouraged allies to keep showing up to protests and to find ways to support the queer community, adding “we’re stronger when we’re connected.”
For Melissa Fitzgerald, 43, the attacks on non-binary and trans folks is personal. Her child is non-binary and she described the fear and rage she was feeling in the moment.
By being at the protest she was able to use her “privilege as a white cis-woman to show up and be a part of the solution.”
Saturday’s protest in Bellingham was one of a handful held in the last month. On Monday, Feb. 17, hundreds gathered in Bellingham and Mount Vernon as part of the “50 protests, 50 states, one day” movement.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
