In the heart of a city known for its progressive spirit, LGBTQ+ seniors are facing a gut-punch of federal budget cuts that threaten their very survival. The Trump administration’s relentless assault on queer rights isn’t just abstract policy, it’s a direct attack on some of our most vulnerable community members.

Cuts to Medicaid aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they’re life-altering blows to older LGBTQ+ adults who already face disproportionate challenges. Imagine being a trans elder who’s fought decades of discrimination, only to now confront potential loss of critical healthcare and support services.

The Invisible Struggle

Queer seniors, especially trans people of color, are bearing the brunt of these devastating cuts. Local organizations that provide crucial lifelines are seeing funding vanish, leaving communities scrambling. El/La Para TransLatinas, a nonprofit supporting transgender Latina rights, is losing $350,000 in city funding, a body blow to violence prevention and advocacy efforts.

Data Erasure as Weapon

Even more insidious? The systematic erasure of data about LGBTQ+ populations. By stopping collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, the administration is literally trying to make queer people invisible.

Fighting Back

But our community isn’t going down without a fight. Local organizations are challenging these cuts in court, and advocates continue pushing for recognition and support. As Jupiter Peraza from Open House powerfully noted, when trans people of color can access services safely, the entire LGBTQ+ community benefits.

The message is clear: our elders deserve dignity, respect, and support, not bureaucratic violence disguised as budget policy.