Editorial by JULIA JOHNSON, Editorial Writer for OUT in Wichita
What can I say that has not been said, and what sign of comfort can I offer each of you that has not already been given? It is only Day 5 of the Trump Regime, and already we can clearly see where this hate-filled path is leading. Felon 47 and his cronies have managed to keep one promise, and that is the promise that he would be a “Dictator on Day 1.” Let us recap, shall we?
So far, he has rolled back the cap on medications, which will directly affect the elderly, the disabled, and those most vulnerable. He has pardoned seditionists and rioters of January 6th, in essence betraying the very officers that fought so hard to protect them. He has revoked the Equal Opportunity Executive Order of 1965, granted security clearances to officials who have not been fully vetted, authorized ICE to target schools and churches, halted CDC reports, withdrawn from WHO and the Paris Climate Agreement, announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and the list goes on and on. But let us not forget that he also took it upon himself to create an executive order declaring that there are only two genders.
Yes, my lovelies, Trump—a man who is a 34-time felon, a sexual predator, a draft dodger, and a habitual liar (and those are just a few of his career highlights)—wants you to believe that he knows more about biology than those who have actual PhDs. With his bold little move, his hope was to eradicate our trans siblings altogether while simultaneously saving his cult followers from fierce fashion and the colors of the rainbow. However, if the Tangerine Titan had ever read a book, a study, or perhaps even spoken to a specialist on the topic, he would understand the delicate nuances that fall under that title.
His little game of smoke and mirrors will not erase the fact that all humans begin as female, nor will it diminish the fact that many are born with chromosome differences, intersex, etc. But I digress; we all are aware that each of us within the LGBTQIA+ community isn’t really the issue. We never have been. We have always been used as a voting/debate point, trotted out and used against the other side to gain favor, like every other minority. We are simply an end to a means.
After all, like many of you, I have spent months attempting to share the “Hitler Playbook” that is Project 2025. I spent hours answering questions, sent emails, answered phones, and put in the work only to watch my greatest fears come to fruition. But alas, it is not sadness I feel...but anger. For it is not a will to “Make America Great Again” that won, but a willful ignorance fed by blatant hate, misogyny, and open greed.
The Us vs. Them was brilliantly played by the Mango Melon’s Camp for all those who refused to hold themselves accountable for their own indiscretions and shortcomings. He and his peeps served up that Kool-Aid in a silver-plated ladle and managed to conquer and divide while convincing Americans to vote against their own best interests with a smile on their faces. Backed by the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, sexual predators, and highly unqualified individuals, he has begun dismantling absolutely everything that made this country great.
Meanwhile, across the pond, Germany is disgusted by his right-hand boy throwing the Roman Salute, Canada is now placing tariffs on us, and, my dear friends, we have become the laughingstock of the world.
But there is hope. Within the darkest hours, there is always light. Each of you is a lamppost, and now is your time to shine. I write this to each of you, no matter the color of your skin, your gender, your creed, your sexuality, or your religion. The time of fighting for the crown of the biggest victim is over. It is time to put aside your petty differences, come together, grasp hands, and move from beneath the shadows to face the nation that would see us silenced.
There is power in a people that move as one, and we are all Americans, each of us unique, worthy, and perfectly imperfect in our own right. I call on all of you to stand tall, use your voices and resources, and be beacons of hope in this, our darkest hour. For too long, they have decided our fate. It is time that we all take an active role in the lives we lead. We have 1,457 days to go.
The choice is yours
Learn more about Julia from the October 2025 Issue
