Donald Trump

LGBT Community Fears Erosion of Rights Under Trump

The upcoming "Document Blitz" is a movement that encourages transgender individuals change legal documents to match their appropriate gender.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center has been inundated with phone calls after members of the community have voiced recent concerns that their rights may be taken away under a Trump presidency.

"It has crossed my mind they're going to go into the records and find out who transitioned and they're gonna get rid of us somehow; make my life awful," one concerned member of the LGBT community said.

During the Republican National Committee finale in July, Donald Trump assured the LGBT community he would keep them safe.

"As your president, I'll do everything in my power to protect the LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of the hateful, foreign ideology, believe me," he said.

However, not many people believe his promise. Rumors and fears are circulating at the LA LGBT Center, especially among the transgender youth.

Lorri Jean, chief executive officer of the LA LGBT Center, has expressed her worry of elected Vice President Mike Pence, who has been an open critic of the LGBT community.

Jean is also concerned about Trump's newly named top domestic policy adviser Ken Blackwell, who has claimed being gay is a lifestyle choice that can be changed.

"Here in this building we get a lot of federal money to provide services," Jean said. "What if they decided they're gonna target funding to LGBT people or organizations — that could impact our ability to care for our community."

During his campaign, Trump vowed to throw out Obamacare, which provides health care to millions in the LGBT community.

Legal experts recognize another possible thing at risk is Obama's direction to the Department of Education to respect gender identity when it comes to using locker rooms and restrooms.

"Because that was done in an executive or administrative capacity, it could be fairly easily undone," said David Cruz, a USC law professor.

The LA LGBT Center is preparing for the worst-potential obstacles in the future that may make it difficult for the transgender community to have legal paperwork that state their appropriate gender.

The center is planning to do what they are calling a "document blitz," encouraging transgender individuals to change legal documents before Trump takes office.

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