What Could Project 2025 Mean For LGBTQ+ People
With appointments being made, it's time we got clear on what Project 2025 is and how it could impact LGBTQ+ people across the United States.
As the dust begins to settle on the US election result and we find out what names are being pulled from the woodwork to begin to form Trump’s inner circle, for many people the reality - as well as the worrisome unknown - is all that they’re left with.
For those outside of the US, we’ve been abreast of the many moments throughout the campaign that made headlines across the world, but perhaps are less privy to the intricacies of the prospective policy that another four years of the Republican arm may bring. One of those, being Project 2025.
This week, we’re going to unpack what Project 2025 is, where it’s come from and what it says specifically about LGBTQ+ people? Not in a way to fearmonger, but in a way to be clear, concise and allow ourselves as a community to be fully prepared for what may be coming at us over the next four years.
What Actually Is Project 2025?
In partnership with The Heritage Fund - a conservative think tank in the United States, Project 2025 is akin to a manifesto for those of us who are used to UK politics. A blueprint for what they envision the future of America to look like. It is formally known as a federal policy agenda, so similarly to how in the UK we have a manifesto, this is a similar outline of what may be enacted across Trump’s Executive Branch over his time in office.
Although, it is important to note, this is not created by the Republican party or officially endorsed by Trump, it is merely a proposal by The Heritage Fund. Titled ‘Mandate For Leadership’, the 900 page document looks set to reorganise each department in federal government (eg: US Department of Justice) to align with the conservative message the authors believe.
What Is Its Message?
As it’s authored by The Heritage Foundation, the message of Project 2025 is a deeply conservative one. Throughout their history they have opposed abortion and reproductive rights, immigrants’ rights, racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights. It seeks to align American values with “traditional conservative values” through its proposals and changes.
What Are Some Examples Of Its Proposed Changes?
Some proposals included within Project 2025 would rely on support from the Executive Branch, which include the Vice President as well as The Cabinet. Some would rely on the support of Congress. Congress is made up of The Legislative Branch of the US Government, which includes The House of Representatives and The Senate and they have the power to enact legislation and laws.
Some examples of the proposed policy changes included in Project 2025 include:
Reversing the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) approval of drugs used for abortion, making it illegal for abortion medications, equipment or materials to be sent through the US Postal Service.
Cut federal funding for schools with curricula that encourages discussions about race, gender and systematic oppression.
Agencies such as the Department of Justice among others be placed under direct presidential control.
Increased funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border including mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship.
Eliminating visa categories for crime and human trafficking victims.
Allowing ‘fast-track’ applications for migrants who pay a premium.
Cut funding on research and investment into renewable energy.
End diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in schools and Government departments.
The 900 page document goes into further detail of its full policy pledges.
What Does It Say Specifically About LGBTQ+ Rights?
In relation to LGBTQ+ rights, many of the proposals align with the document’s plan to end the ‘woke agenda’ across schools and within Government institutions. Predominantly, the proposals are targeted at trans people in the United States, however many argue that the conservative nature of the group as well as Trump’s cabinet would mean that same-sex marriage as well as protections of LGBQ Americans is no longer guaranteed. In the document, it outlines proposals such as:
Increased data collection efforts from the Department of Health and Human Services to “maintain a biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family.”
Elimination of terms such as “sexual orientation”, “gender equality”, “abortion” and “reproductive rights” from all laws and federal regulations.
End diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in schools.
In an attempt to end the “inappropriate political indoctrination of our children”, Department for Education would be abolished to boost school choice and allow more parental control over education.
Eliminate federal policies that promote LGBTQ+ equality or assist single mothers.
End transgender healthcare in Medicare and Medicaid.
End anti-discrimination rules based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Restrict participation and weaken protections on transgender people wanting to serve or currently serving in the military.
Disallowing students from using names or pronouns that don’t match the sex on their birth certificate.
Sue schools that protect the rights of trans students and threaten to remove Medicaid funding to hospitals that provide gender-affirming medical care to trans teenagers.
So, what now?
Although the information above is worrying, the important distinction to note in this is that this wasn’t written by Trump himself. He has in recent years even distanced himself from the Project, sayhing in September’s presidentiual debated that he had “nothing to do with Project 2025.”
Although it may read as a manifesto, it is not a Republican manifesto that they will enact point by point. However, Trump has endorsed The Heritage Foundation, saying in 2022, “This is a great group and they’re going to lay the groundwork in detailed plans for exactly what our movement will do and what your movement will do when the American people gives us a colossal mandate to save America.” So, we need to make sure that we are prepared for all outcomes because as we know from his previous term, the words that come out of his mouth are not always to be trusted.
LGBTQ+ charities and support groups in the US such as GLAAD and The Trevor Project have immediately began campaigning against Project 2025 since Trumps’s electoral win. LGBTQ+ groups across the world too have been raising awareness of the potential difficulties that LGBTQ+ folk - predominantly trans people - may now face over the next four years.
It’s our job now to protect our siblings in the States by fighting louder and being as visible as possible when it comes to protecting the existing legislation from erosion.
To find out more about the resources used in this weeks newsletter, you can read more from:
You can also find a list of charitable organisations that are working in the US to help protect the rights of LGBTQ+ folk here via The Advocate.
The whole thing is so disgusting. I live in the U.S. Of course Project 2025 wasn't written by Trump. He couldn't string a coherent sentence together if he tried.