Lucian Holness woke up to a daunting reality on Nov. 6. Acute stress led to the mix of emotions that struck the transgender marketing manager as they learned President-elect Donald Trump — never a reliable ally to the LGBTQ community and an increasingly hostile figure for transgender Americans — had won a second term in the White House.
“I went into this election fully expecting Trump to win,” said Holness, who lives in New Jersey and began to medically transition during the pandemic, an experience they called “liberating” and “amazing” after a long time spent “feeling like something was wrong.”
Assuming Trump would take the presidency again was a self-preservation tactic, Holness told CBS News but it did not necessarily soften the blow.
“Maybe I thought it would be a closer race than it was. And just seeing how many states we were losing, the immense way that we lost … that really destroyed me,” Holness said. “And for several days after I had no hope in humanity.”
After the election, commentators and analysts suggested Trump’s decisive victory against Vice President Kamala Harris was broad evidence of a thirst for economic change across the bright red map of the country. To win, he had punctured the Democratic “blue wall” and flipped all seven battleground states, with CBS News exit polls indicating he had received support from more of the electorate than ever.
LGBTQ voters were among the only demographic groups that did not stray toward Trump when they cast ballots in the presidential contest this year. Black women also overwhelmingly backed Harris at the polls.
“Black voters and queer voters understood the assignment in this election, and our assignment was to defeat the great threat to our safety and freedom that Trump poses, so that we can fight for what all of us need to be safe and free,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the executive director of GLSEN, an LGBTQ advocacy group focused on supporting and educating young people. Willingham-Jaggers identifies as nonbinary and queer.
The LGBTQ community has historically voted Democrat but unlike most other demographic trends this year, LGBTQ support for the party’s presidential nominee rose substantially sa 2020. CBS News’ national exit polls showed 86% of people who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender voted for Harris, while just 13% voted for Trump. Echoing most Harris voters, a majority of LGBTQ people said they feared what
How might this election impact the transgender community, particularly those considering or undergoing transitions, according to Lucian Holness?
## Interview with Lucian Holness
Today, we’re joined by Lucian Holness, a transgender marketing manager from New Jersey, who shared their experience and reflections on the recent presidential election. Lucian, thank you for joining us.
**Lucian:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned feeling a mix of emotions on election day, despite expecting the result. Can you elaborate on that?
**Lucian:** It was a strange mix of disbelief and despair. While I mentally prepared myself for a Trump victory, seeing the margin and the widespread support he received was truly devastating. It made me question the progress we’ve made as a society and left me feeling incredibly hopeless for a few days. [[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/11/09/transgender-rights-trump-election-prompts-fears/76099249007/)]
**Interviewer:** You started medically transitioning during the pandemic. What impact do you think this election will have on the transgender community, particularly those considering or undergoing transitions?
**Lucian:** This election has amplified the fear and vulnerability that many transgender individuals already feel. With Trump’s past record on LGBTQ+ issues and his rhetoric during the campaign, there’s a genuine concern that he will roll back crucial protections and rights we’ve fought so hard for. This can make the already difficult process of transitioning even more daunting and isolating.
**Interviewer:** What message would you like to share with other transgender individuals and allies who may be feeling similar emotions right now?
**Lucian:** It’s important to remember that we are not alone in this. There are countless individuals and organizations fighting for our rights and well-being. We must stay hopeful, stay vocal, and continue to advocate for a more just and equitable future. This is a difficult time, but we will get through it together.
