LGBTQ+ People Are Not Going Back

Queer Rights are Human Rights. A Perspective on the US situation from Europe

A historic moment: The Bundesrat, and alongside the Bundestag and all federal ministeries, proudly flies the Pride flag during Berlin CSD 2023 for the first time during a CSD, a testament to progress and inclusivity. 🏳️‍🌈 Photo: Jay Siegmann

Reading Julia Serano’s call to action , I feel a surge of solidarity, mixed with sadness and urgency.

Writing from Germany, I find it striking how stark the contrast is between the U.S. backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights and Europe’s efforts to advance inclusivity and equality. This juxtaposition is as illuminating as it is disheartening.

Europe’s Path Forward

In recent decades, many European nations have taken significant steps to embed protections for LGBTQ+ individuals into their legal and cultural frameworks.

The European Union, guided by the European Commission and Parliament, has introduced comprehensive anti-discrimination measures that ensure gender identity and expression are recognized and respected.

Countries like Spain, Germany, and Malta have led the way.

They implemented policies that affirm trans and queer rights — ranging from streamlined legal name and gender changes to outright bans on harmful practices like conversion therapy.

However, Europe is far from immune to regression.

Countries like Hungary and Poland show how quickly progress can crumble when patriarchal forces use cultural fears to reassert dominance. This isn’t just reactionary resistance — it’s a calculated strategy, often orchestrated by older men clinging to their waning power.

What we’re witnessing is patriarchy in its purest form: a bid to restore feudal hierarchies where control and inequality were unchallenged.

This backlash against LGBTQ+ rights is part of a broader desire to regress to a time when systemic oppression was the norm, a societal order disturbingly reminiscent of medieval power dynamics.

And yet, Europe offers hope.

Many nations here share an understanding that rights cannot be selectively granted or denied without jeopardizing the entire framework of human rights. This foundational principle reinforces why progress must be safeguarded and expanded — not just for LGBTQ+ people but for everyone who relies on justice and dignity under the law.

Unity in diversity — attendees at Berlin CSD 2023 proudly display their flags, celebrating love, pride, and solidarity. 🌈Photo: Jay Siegmann

The U.S. and the Danger of Complacency

In the U.S., the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights reflects decades of erosion in democratic safeguards. Republicans have aggressively pursued regressive policies, but the Democratic Party’s reluctance to defend trans and queer communities with urgency has exacerbated this crisis.

The belief that progress is linear has lulled many into complacency, even as hate crimes and discriminatory legislation surge.

From a European perspective, it’s shocking to see a country with such a rich legacy of social activism — where the Stonewall Riots and Harvey Milk’s legacy galvanized movements — now faltering under coordinated attacks on fundamental rights.

Why This Matters Globally

The U.S. remains a cultural and political beacon. Its regressive policies ripple outward, emboldening far-right movements worldwide. If LGBTQ+ people can be systematically marginalized in the U.S., it sends a dangerous signal to authoritarian-leaning leaders everywhere.

Conversely, a united, vocal pushback can inspire movements globally. The courage of activists like Julia Serano reminds us that silence is complicity, and advocacy — no matter how daunting — is essential.

A Call to Action Across Borders

To my U.S. friends and readers: your fight is ours, too.

While I cannot directly call my representatives, I can amplify your voices and share your stories.

I can remind European audiences that solidarity doesn’t stop at borders.

And I urge every LGBTQ+ person and ally in the U.S. to hold your leaders accountable. Politicians respond to pressure — votes, calls, and organized resistance matter.

To my European readers: let this be a reminder that progress isn’t guaranteed. We must remain vigilant, continuing to fight for and expand LGBTQ+ rights within our communities, offering safe havens and support where others falter.

We’re Not Going Back

I like the title Julia proposes — LGBTQ+ People Are Not Going Back.

The struggle for equality isn’t just about resisting regression; it’s about building a world where everyone can thrive. And that vision is worth every ounce of courage, solidarity, and action we can muster.

Together, across oceans and borders, let’s make it clear: the arc of history bends toward justice because we demand it, fight for it, and refuse to let it snap backward.

The ‘House of Pride’ float rolls through Berlin, spreading messages of love, acceptance, and resistance against hate during CSD 2023. 💕🌈 Photo: Jay Siegmann